November and December 2020 Book Reports

The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey by Candice Millard - link to my post (copy from PaperBackSwap.com)

Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe - link to my post (copy from PaperBackSwap.com)

The Great Quake: How the Biggest Earthquake in North America Changed Our Understanding of the Planet by Henry Fountain - link to my post (library copy)

Who Gets in and Why: A Year Inside College Admissions by Jeffrey Selingo - link to my post (library copy)

Richard III by William Shakespeare - I read this just ahead of my eleventh grader. Richard III has few redeeming qualities, though some wonderful lines. I thought the most dramatic scene must be one in which ghosts of Richard's victims file across the stage in the dark of night, condemning him and comforting his rival for the throne. It's fairly long, so I split some of the acts over two weeks. (purchased copy)

The Beginning Naturalist by Gale Lawrence - I grabbed this book at a library sale to read aloud as our nature study book. The book follows a year in New England with essays of 2-3 pages on a variety of topics. More than once I was delighted by Second Daughter's discoveries on our land to match the topic of essays in the book. (purchased used)

The Captain's Dog: My Journey with the Lewis and Clark Tribe by Roland Smith - This book is on my younger son's historical fiction list for the year (fourth grade) and I think he's going to love it. Seaman's perspective is a doggy one, which is fun. The author also manages to show some of the events and actions of the Lewis and Clark Expedition as ones we'd find unacceptable today. (purchased used)

The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J. R. R. Tolkien (first book: The Fellowship of the Ring) - I read this trilogy when I was in middle school but knew it deserved another read. I invested in the audiobooks and enjoyed every minute of them. (purchased from Audible)

The Mountains Sing by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai - link to my post (purchased Audible audiobook)

Zikora by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - I follow this author on Amazon because I saw her amazing TED Talk. This short story was available to borrow for Kindle and, somehow, the Audible book was available for free as well for listening. (I'm not able to download it on my laptop, but I could listen on the app.) It was beautifully written and provided a look into a completely different life than my own. The ending was rather abrupt, almost not an ending at all. (borrowed Audible audiobook)

I have received nothing in exchange for this post. Links to Bookshop, Amazon, and PaperBackSwap.com are affiliate links.

May and June 2017 Book Reports

Richard Halliburton's Complete Book of Marvels: The Orient by Richard Halliburton - link to my post (purchased used copy)

The Breadwinner: An Afghan Child in a War Torn Land by Deborah Ellis is recommended as a possible fiction supplement to a short study of Afghanistan in the Mater Amabilis™™Level 4 history lesson plans. First Son will be using those plans next year for eighth grade, though I haven't decided whether we'll have time to include Afghanistan. It's the story of a young girl who ends up dressing as a boy in Taliban-controlled Kabul to earn money for her family after her father is arrested. Through the course of the story, the reader learns about the changes in Kabul from the wars and the occupation by the Taliban. There are a few graphic descriptions of things like soldiers cutting off the hands of accused thieves, people shot in the streets, and bodies left to be eaten by dogs, but they are not unnecessarily gory or excessively described. (library copy)

Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan is another Mater Amabilis™™Level 4 history supplement book. A young girl in India is married to a sickly boy who dies, leaving her a widow with a mother-in-law who resents her. With the assistance of others, she gradually learns to support herself and begins a new life. This is a sweet story that reveals much about Indian life and culture. When Koly is abandoned by her mother-in-law, she sees poverty and callousness as people live and starve in the streets, but not in a way I'd refuse to share with my 10 year old (though it's the 8th grader that might be reading the book). I did think it odd that Koly didn't consider supporting herself with her exquisite embroidery earlier in the novel, especially because her mother earned extra money that way herself. (library copy)

War Horse by Michael Morpurgo, another Mater Amabilis™™Level 4 history supplemental novel, shows some of the horrors of World War I from the point of view of a remarkable horse. It begs a little in believability if in no other way than that the horse understands a variety of languages. It's a good way to tell the story, though, because while the injuries, deaths, and sufferings of the soldiers and people of Europe are depicted, most of the bloody action of the war is removed from the action. (requested from PaperBackSwap.com)

Lassie Come Home by Eric Knight is the original Lassie book. I read this aloud to the kids (13, 10, 8, 6) and they all adored it. Highly recommended as a read-aloud of adventure, devotion, and virtue. We also watched a few episodes of the Timmy show and the original movie, Lassie Come Home, which did a surprisingly good job of following the book. (book and movie were library copies)

Blessed Miguel Pro: 20th-Century Mexican Martyr by Ann Ball - link to my post (purchased from the publisher)

The King's Thane by Charles Brady, Beowulf by Michael Morpurgo, and Beowulf the Warrior by Ian Serraillier - link to my post (library copies of The King's Thane and Beowulf, Beowulf the Warrior purchased from the publisher)

Old Sam and the Horse Thieves by Don Alonzo Taylor is the sequel to Old Sam, Dakota Trotter, one of our favorite books. I finally bought a copy and read it as we began our summer. Old Sam continues to astound everyone except Johnny, right up to the end when he helps catch actual horse thieves. There is a shootout at the end of the book. Bodies are lying as if on a battlefield. The actual events are just described to the twelve-year-old narrator, though, so it wasn't too gruesome to read aloud. (purchased from the publisher)

Kingfishers Catch Fire by Rumer Godden - link to my post (purchased used on Amazon)

Dead Souls by Nikolai Gogol - link to my post (purchased used on Amazon)

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame - I'd tried to read this book a few times to the children and never made it through it, but I kept seeing it as a book that should be read. So I finally got the audiobook which I've found to be a good option for books I have trouble reading aloud myself. Kansas Dad listened to this with us. We found it a rather odd book. I'm glad Toad learns his lesson, but it seems a shame he had to escape prison to do it. (We have a copy illustrated by Michael Hague from years and years ago and an unknown source, but we listened to this Audible audiobook.)

The Long-Legged House by Wendell Berry - link to my post (library copy)

The Book of Saints and Heroes by Andrew and Lenora Lang - link to my post (copy First Son received as a gift)


Books in Progress (and date started)

• Norton Anthology of English Literature Vol. 2 (sixth edition) (August 2014)
• Prayer and the Will of God by Dom Hubert van Zeller (March 2017)
• Joan of Arc by Mark Twain (April 2017, with my book club)
• A Century of Sonnets edited by Feldman and Robinson (May 2017)
• Anne of Avonlea by L. M. Montgomery (June 2017)
• A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf (June 2017)
• The Good Master by Kate Seredy (June 2017)

The italic print: Links to Amazon are affiliate links. As an affiliate with Amazon, I receive a small commission if you follow one of my links, add something to your cart, and complete the purchase (in that order). Try Audible - another affiliate link.

Links to RC History and PaperBackSwap.com are affiliate links. Other links (like those to Bethlehem Books) are not affiliate links.

These reports are my honest opinions.

Listening Loop: Kansas and Patriotic Songs on the Range

I wrote about our loop scheduling a few days ago. You can read that post here.

First Daughter is in third grade this year, which means she's studying her state (because I studied Georgia when I was in third grade and for no other reason). Originally, I had not intended to "teach" the state song, Home on the Range, but decided it was a good year to have a patriotic playlist for our listening loop.

• Way Out West in Kansas by Vernon Dalhart  from Puttin on the Style
• Sunflower by Frank Sinatra from The Columbia Years (1943-1952)
• Old Chisholm Trail by Mike Seeger from Early Southern Guitar Styles
• Home on the Range by Pete Seeger from American Favorite Ballads Vol. 1 - 5
• This Land Is Your Land by Elizabeth Mitchell from Little Seed: Songs for Children By Woody Guthrie
• America, My Country 'tis of Thee by United States Army Field Band from Folk Treasures of America
• Star Spangled Banner by Lee Greenwood from American Patriot 

Like the other playlists, this one lives on Spotify. For a few weeks there, my recommendations were filled with army bands and old country. I also discovered Old Chisholm Trail has a wide variety of verses, the majority of which seemed to be inappropriate for my five year old to learn. The version I finally selected includes drunkenness, but in a relatively instructive way.

I think it's likely we'll have new lists science songs and folk songs every year, but I may save this list for years in which one of the children is studying Kansas.

The italic print: Links to Amazon above are affiliate links. If you click on one, put something in your cart, and make a purchase (any purchase) within Amazon's time frame, I receive a small commission. My checking account thanks you!

Links to the Spotify are not affiliate links. I receive nothing from them, but I highly recommend the paid subscription to Spotify as some of the commercials are not family-friendly.

May 2015 Book Reports

Mikis and the Donkey by Bibi Dumon Tak is the story of a young boy on a Greek island who adores the donkey his grandfather purchases to carry firewood. I came across is recently and thought it might make a good substitute for one of the Level 1A Year 1 People and Places selections for Second Daughter. (She listened to all of The Wheel on the School rather closely just this year.) It has its moments of humor and would be an adequate book for modern Greece, so it's a possibility, but I might keep looking. (library copy)

The Perfect Egg: A Fresh Take on Recipes for Morning, Noon, and Night by Teri Lyn Fisher and Jenny Park - my review. (review copy from Blogging for Books)

Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography by Laura Ingalls Wilder, edited by Pamela Smith Hill - my review. (library copy)

Persuasion by Jane Austen is wonderful. I'm still thinking about it weeks later. Read it. (library copy)

Thunder from the Sea by Joan Hiatt Harlow is the story of an orphaned boy in 1929 Newfoundland who goes to live with a new family. He miraculously rescues a dog in rough seas, fulfilling a life-long wish. It would be great as a read-aloud or for young independent readers. (library copy)

The Austere Academy (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 5) by Lemony Snicket. I'll probably write more about this series when we finish all the books. (audio CD from the library)

The Ersatz Elevator (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 6) by Lemony Snickett, performed by Tim Curry, continues the story of Violet, Klaus, and Sunny. In this book, one of their guardians is obsessed with the current fashions, even of ridiculous things. For example, elevators are "out" so she successfully campaigned to have the elevators removed from their building. While walking around in Chicago on a recent vacation, Second Daughter (6) commented, "Mom, I think headphone are in because everyone is wearing them." Perceptive. (audio CD from the library)

Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry, second in The Giver Quartet. I reviewed this for another website, but you can read about it on the blog here. (library copy)

May B. by Caroline Starr Rose - my review. (library copy)

The Sod House by Elizabeth Coatsworth - my review. (library copy)

Lost in the Barrens by Farley Mowat is a story of adventure, courage, friendship, and ingenuity in a freezing Canadian winter. It is a good book for First Son (11) to read this summer. (PaperBackSwap.com)


Books in Progress (and date started)

• Open Mind, Faithful Heart by Pope Francis (January 2014) 
• The Education Of Catholic Girls by Janet Erskine Stuart (February 2014)
• Norton Anthology of English Literature Vol 2 (sixth edition) (August 2014)
• Good Poems ed by Garrison Keillor (October 2014) 
• For the Children's Sake: Foundations of Education for Home and School by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay (January 2015, with my Start Here book club)
• The Story of the Amulet by E. Nesbit (February 2015, listening with the children on LibriVox)
• Humility of Heart by Fr. Cajetan Mary da Bergamo (February 2015)
• The Reb and the Redcoats by Constance Savery (April 2015)
• A Midsummer Night's Dream (Shakespeare Made Easy) (May 2015)
• Towards A Philosophy Of Education (Charlotte Mason's Original Homeschooling Series) by Charlotte Mason (May 2015)

Links to Amazon are affiliate links. As an affiliate with Amazon, I receive a small commission if you follow one of my links, add something to your cart, and complete the purchase (in that order). My homeschooling budget is always grateful for any purchases.

These reports are my honest opinions.

Book Review: Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography

Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography by Laura Ingalls Wilder, edited by Pamela Smith Hill

The Little House on the Prairie books at our house are disintegrating, thanks to the repeated readings of my daughter. When I saw this book mentioned, I requested it from the library and had to wait months for my chance at a copy. The main text is Laura Ingalls Wilder's first draft of her memoir, shared with her daughter and modified two or three times in continued failed attempts to find a publisher for a memoir written for adults. Later, she and her daughter, Rose Wilder Lane, expanded on different parts of the memoir to write the children's books and other fiction.

The real treasure of this edition, however, are the annotated notes. The editor (and presumably a team of assistants) sought evidence of each person mentioned in the memoir, his or her relationship to the Ingalls family, and their fates in life. They attempted to identify every animal, bird, and flower, often commenting on the interaction between early pioneers and the environment. They researched historical events and attempted to place episodes of Laura's life in time despite a lack of dates in her memoir. Illustrated with photographs, simplified maps, and other artifacts as well as illustrations by Helen Sewell and Garth Williams, it is a feast for anyone interested in the real Laura Ingalls Wilder and pioneer life.

The extensive index is ideal for those who want to ask about one particular person or experience, but I read the entire book cover to cover with delight. I was impressed at the evidence for Wilder's growth as an author and how she skillfully molded events and experiences in her own life into those of a fictional family that epitomized her ideal of American pioneers.

Highly recommended!

American History Picture Books in 2012-2013 Post 2 of 5: Progressive Era and Immigration

This is the second post in a series on the picture books we read along with our American History studies in 2012-2013 when First Son was in  third grade, First Daughter was in kindergarten, Second Daughter was four and Second Son wasn't paying attention.

First of all, I forgot to mention a fun book in my last post on Slavery and the Civil War, Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek: A Tall, Thin Tale (Introducing His Forgotten Frontier Friend) by Deborah Hopkinson with pictures by John Hendrix. We didn't read this for our study because I found it later, but it's a fun tale of Abraham Lincoln's youth, when he was saved from near-certain death by a friend. It humorously reminds us that we don't know everything about the past from the tales that come down to us. What I love most about it, though, is the thought at the end that even the actions of a child can lead to great things in the future.

Going West by Jean Van Leeuwen, illustrated by Thomas B. Allen, is a nice book about a pioneer family traveling west by covered wagon to the prairie. The weather is harsh, the neighbors are few, but the family makes a home.

Two Scarlet Songbirds: A Story of Anton Dvorak by Carole Lexa Schaefer, illustrated by Elizabeth Rosen, tells of Dvorak's visit to Iowa in 1893 and his composition of his American Quartet. It's fictionalized, but fun to read. I read this again to the children recently as part of our music appreciation. Then we listened to some of the piece on Spotify.

I put in our book basket Ten Mile Day and the Building of the Transcontinental Railroad by Mary Ann Fraser. That's a fine book, but just last year Brian Floca published Locomotive. The illustrations are stunning and the text is as much a part of the story as it tells the story. The endpapers are full of additional information on the first transcontinental railway line as well as the engine itself. I can completely understand why it won the Caldecott Medal and think it would be perfect for this kind of study. You might need to pause and finish on another day with younger children (just watch to see if their interest is lagging) because it is such a rich book.

I found two biographies of George Washington Carver I liked. I finally decided to ask the children which the wanted to hear. Based purely on the front cover, First Daughter requested A Weed Is a Flower: The Life of George Washington Carver written and illustrated by Aliki. I also really enjoyed A Man for All Seasons: The Life of George Washington Carver by Stephen Krensky, illustrated by Wil Clay. They convey similar information and are both inspiring.

When Jessie Came Across the Sea by Amy Hest, illustrated by P.J. Lynch, is one of my favorite picture books. I love it and any excuse to read it.

Journey to Ellis Island: How My Father Came to America by Carol Bierman, illustrated by Laurie McGaw, is the true story of the author's father who immigrated in 1922. It's written for older elementary or even middle school students and is full of personal stories and facts about Ellis Island, the people who passed through it, and the lives they led in America. The lovely illustrations are combined with reproductions of photographs. I put this in the book basket for the kids to look through. If I had read it aloud, I would have spread it over a few days.


Posts in This Series - I'll update this list with links to all the others after they post.
#1: Slavery and the Civil War
#2: Progressive Era and Immigration (this post)
#3: World War I, Women's Suffrage, and the 1920s
#4: The Great Depression and World War II
#5: Civil Rights, Hawai'i, Alaska, and Space Exploration

While First Son was in kindergarten, we read these books on Reconstruction, Urbanization, and Industrialization and these book on the Progressive Era. In addition, you can find links to all the picture books we read through American history in 2009-2010, when First Son was in kindergarten. 

Homeschool Review: 2012-2013 Family Read-Alouds

I've already posted on the family read-alouds I selected for World History and American History. We also read from another family read-aloud four or five times a week (usually at the breakfast table as my children dawdled over their cereal and made a tremendous mess). This was my time to read wonderful books I loved or wanted to share with them that didn't necessarily fit into a lesson plan anywhere. They are just for pure enjoyment without any required narration, though there was often plenty of talk that flowed naturally from them.

We read these books when First Son was nine (third grade), First Daughter was six (kindergarten), and the other two were four and two. During Advent, we put these books aside and read from some holiday-themed books instead. You can find that list here.

The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald - I meant to read The Princess and Curdie with them this year, as we listened to The Princess and the Goblin last year, but I forgot. Once I got started, the children wanted to hear the end again! Hopefully we'll get the The Princess and Curdie eventually. (free Kindle edition)

Schoolhouse in the Woods by Rebecca Caudill is the second in the Fairchild Family series and we loved it just as much as Happy Little Family. I have the second and third books in the series and am hoping we have time to read them together this summer. (I bought my copy from Bethlehem Books.)

Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink - I love this book and I loved sharing it with my children. They enjoyed it as well. (We read a copy I saved from my childhood.)

Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry - I have a lot of horse books from when I was young and have refrained from sharing most of them. (My kids aren't as excited by horses as I was.) They enjoyed this one, though. (We read a copy I saved from my childhood.)

The Moffats by Eleanor Estes - This is such a delightful family story. We listened to it on audio CD while we were driving back and forth to my parents' house. (library copy)

Heidi by Johanna Spyri - This is a classic story no child should miss. My kids adored it from beginning to end. I highly recommend buying this on in person to make sure you're getting an unabridged edition. I  have a no-frills paperback I bought at a library sale (or something) but would love a beautifully illustrated version for our home library. (purchased copy)

The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling - The children all loved this book, especially the stories of Mowgli and Rikki-Tikki-Tavi. I read aloud this wonderfully illustrated version from the library with artwork by Robert Ingpen, but originally I read this free Kindle version.

All-of-a-Kind Family Uptown by Sydney Talyor - We read the first of this series in our American History read-aloud time, then followed it with the next two on audio CD from the library. The kids begged for more, so I decided we'd finish our official school year with this one. (library copy)

Homeschool Review: 2012-2013 Family Read-Alouds in American History

This year, I decided we'd set aside a little time each day to share a read-aloud with the family focused on the time period we were studying in history, one for American History and one for World History. I found some of these in resources like Let the Authors Speak, books I already owned, or through library searches.

We would read through the American History read-aloud two or three times a week until it was done. Then I'd start a new book that matched up with our current studies. We read these when First Son was in third grade and First Daughter was in kindergarten. Second Daughter (four) and Second Son (two) were intermittent listeners.

This year in American History, we started with a study of slavery and the Civil War. Then we just moved chronologically up to the present times.

Freedom Train: The Story of Harriet Tubman by Dorothy Sterling is a biography of Harriet Tubman for children. I thought it was a nice way to learn about slavery and the struggle for freedom. (purchased copy, I think at a library sale)

Old Sam: Dakota Trotter by Don Alonzo Taylor is the story of a trotting horse with an injured leg who proves himself time and again on the frontier. It's told wonderfully from the perspective of a young boy who loves the prairie life. The kids loved this book! (purchased copy, from Bethlehem Books)

All-Of-A-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor is one of my very favorite books. Set in New York City, it chronicles the delightful daily life of a Jewish family with five young girls. All of my children loved this story. We followed it up with the next two books on audio CD from the library (All of a Kind Family Downtown and More All-of-a-Kind Family). I'll be checking the next one out of the library to read aloud as the children are all asking for more - even Second Son! (The first one we read was also a library copy.)

Blue Willow by Doris Gates is another one of my favorite books. It's such a sweet story of courage and every day life during the Great Depression. Janey's father lost his ranch in the Dust Bowl and now they follow the field work. She longs for a permanent home and a regular school. Her family is loving and supportive and she finds new and wonderful friends. (library copy)

Gentle Ben by Walt Morey is the story of a young boy and his pet bear set in the territory of Alaska. It's a wonderful addition to any story of Alaska or a nature study on northern habitats. (purchased copy, at a going-out-of-business-sale)

Every one of these books would be worthy of reading aloud regardless of any history studies. In fact, those are exactly the kind of books I seek out for our family read-alouds.

These were a number of other books I had ready and waiting but we did not have time to read them aloud together this year during our American History read-aloud time.

Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink - Because it's one of my favorite books, we read it as one of our regular family read-alouds (which we read every day!), so we didn't miss out on it. (I own this book from my childhood.)

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott - I wanted to read this, but we didn't really have time for it and Kansas Dad thought First Son probably wouldn't be that interested. When the girls are older, we're definitely going to read it aloud! (I own this book, too.)

Shades of Gray by Carolyn Reeder - This is a wonderful book of post-Civil War life, forgiveness, and family, but we just didn't have time to read it. I might ask First Son to read it independently next year. (We would have used a library copy.)

Thimble Summer by Elizabeth Enright is a nice story of a young girl in Wisconsin, but I don't think it's quite as good as the other books. (I picked this up at a library sale.)

The Mitchells: Five for Victory by Hilda van Stockum is a lovely tale of five Mitchell children at home during World War II. It's a read-aloud appropriate for all ages about what life was like in the war years. It's predictable, but in a sweet way. I'm very tempted to ask First Son to read this independently next year or read it aloud just for fun with the girls. (I purchased this for my Kindle from Bethlehem Books, though I do not see it offered at the moment.)

Weedflower by Cynthia Kadohata is the story of a young girl sent to one of the Japanese internment camps in the United States during World War II. I liked this story on many levels and think it would be great for older children, especially girls, as an accompaniment to a World War II study but in the end decided against reading it with my younger children. There's nothing really inappropriate; I just think older kids would appreciate Sumiko's emotions and struggles more. (library copy)

April 2012 Book Reports

Seek First the Kingdom by Cardinal Donald Wuerl (a review for The Catholic Company)

Water Buffalo Days: Growing Up in Vietnam by Huynh Quang Nhuong is a gentle tale of a boy in Vietnam who loved his family, his village, his water buffalo and his life. It is an autobiographical account that gives a wonderful glimpse of his daily life, the joy he found in his home. It is less painful than The Land I Lost: Adventures of a Boy in Vietnam (another wonderful book), but the Vietnam War does touch his life violently near the end of the book. First Son will be reading this book next year as part of our People and Places studies along with mapwork and some geography on Vietnam. Though I will not read The Land I Lost out loud to all the children, I would allow First Son to read it himself after we've finished this book. (library copy)

The Trumpeter of Krakow by Eric P. Kelly - We'll be using RC History's Volume 3 next year and this is one of the recommended books for the Grammar level (grades 4-6). I was considering it as a family read aloud because I happen to own it, having grabbed it at a library sale a few months ago. I was particularly interested in it as my grandmother's parents were born in Poland. It's a tale of intrigue and mystery as a family seeks to protect a precious treasure, the Philosopher's Stone, held in trust for the royal family. The Heynal figures prominently, adding more honor to the story. You can listen to the Heynal here as well as learn a little more about the tradition. I think there's a bit too much "alchemy" and discussions thereof in the story which would make it difficult for First Son to understand as a third grader. (I don't think there's a concern with witchcraft being portrayed favorably, just that those scenes in the novel are complicated.) Since he'd get little out of it and the girls would get even less, we're going to wait until the next time we study volume 3.  (purchased copy)


Saint Colum and the Crane by Eva K. Betz - I really liked this little book on Saint Colum (also known as Saint Columba). He shows such fortitude, love of learning, love of educating children, love of country, love of God's creation, obedience and courage. I wish First Son could have read it when we read about Iona in history, but I had to request it from inter-library loan and I'm only allowed three requests at a time. I read it quickly and then handed it to him to read on his own. It took him about an hour, but I think he was playing dinosaurs with Second Son for part of that time. Recommended, if you can find a copy. (inter-library loan)

A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller, Jr. was another novel for the science fiction and theology class. It's a grim story of a post-apocalyptic future. Yet, somehow, a hope in humanity remains, perhaps even grows in the reader. The Catholic Church figures prominently in the novel, a source of courage, constancy and hope. We have hope, not because of anything humanity does in the course of the novel, but because we hope in God and trust in His hope in humanity. I had read this before, about four years ago, but it was much more powerful the second time through. Highly recommended. (desk copy)

What Maisie Knew by Henry James is a typical James novel with lots of long and convoluted sentences. (Oh, how I enjoy them!) This particular book follows the life of poor Maisie, neglected and manipulated by her parents in their divorce and then by her step-parents in their desire to meet freely with each other under the pretense of caring for their step-daughter. It was, not surprisingly, rather sad. I thought often of all the poor children who find themselves in similar situations (though hopefully not so egregious) in divorces today. (free Kindle version)

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien  - Will you believe me if I say I never read this book as a child? Even as I started it this month, with the idea we might read it aloud next year, I was ambivalent. After all, I live in the country; mice and rats are not cute or my friends. I want them to stay out and Kansas Dad takes measures to eliminate the few who venture in. Within pages, though, I was hooked. I wanted desperately to know what would happen. The writing is a little slow at times, but I think we will try it as a family read aloud next year when First Son is in third grade. (library copy)

Uncovering the Logic of English by Denise Eide (purchased copy)

The Adventures of Robin Hood (Classic Starts) edited by John Burrows from the original by Howard Pyle - This book is recommended at the beginner level for RC History's volume 3 which we'll be using next year. I have never read the full-length version and am generally averse to sharing abridged books with my children, but I trust the Sonya at RC History. I think First Son will find this book entertaining next year, in third grade. The short chapters will be perfect for him to read on his own and narrate to me. (PaperBackSwap.com; the full length book is available for free for the Kindle)

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle was a book for my science fiction and theology class. I don't think I had ever read it before and enjoyed it. At times the author seemed to skip over important moments. When Meg, for example, finally accepts the responsibility and the task before her, I felt like the pivotal and transformative moment happened between one sentence and the next. As a reader, I missed it. I would also be cautious about sharing it with my children when they are young. Though it often quotes Scripture, it does so along with other famous authors. It specifically mentions Jesus, but then follows with a list of others who battle the darkness. It's not clear that Jesus is categorically different from the others. Though Michael O'Brien would disagree (here and here), I think a middle school or older child could read this without any great problem. Even a child a bit younger would probably be alright. I won't be reading it aloud to my young ones, though. (library copy)

Madeleine Takes Command by Ethel C. Brill is a tale based on the true story of a 14 year old girl who holds off Mohawks in New France while her parents are away. She and her younger brothers, along with a few others, devise a plan for defending her home and the women and children protected inside. It is a wonderfully written tale of courage, steadfastness and strength that comes from love of family and loyalty to those who look to you for protection. The Native Americans are portrayed as vicious attackers. Madeleine makes exceptions for the Christian Indians, but there is no sympathy for those who are being forced under the control of Europeans. It's a fine line, to show the tenacity of early settlers against the lives of the Indians who lived here before they came. In general, I think this is a worthy book and intend to read it to my children next year. Because there are some frightening scenes, and the tone of the book tends to be stressful and fearful, I will probably read it aloud to First Son at a time when the girls are not listening. (purchased copy)

After Miscarriage by Karen Edmisten (a review for The Catholic Company)

These is my Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881-1901 by Nancy E. Turner - I picked up this book at a library book sale thinking it was an actual diary, but it's a novel based loosely on the diary of one of the author's ancestors. The diarist starts as an uneducated 18 year old girl who's better with a gun than a pen. Her writing skills grow as time passes and she reads widely. It is a romance, but it seemed to show rather well what life was like for women in the Arizona Territory at that time. I enjoyed the book but would reserve it for more mature readers. (purchased copy)

December 2011 Book Report

December's list is a bit longer than the others recently. I finally finished a few big books I'd been reading for months!

An Unreasonable Woman by Diane Wilson (free Kindle version, offered as a Limited-Time Offer)

Sinner: The Catholic Guy's Funny, Feeble Attempts to be a Faithful Catholic by Lino Rulli (a review for The Catholic Company)

Mary on Horseback: Three Mountain Stories by Rosemary Wells tells the story of Mary Breckinridge and her Frontier Nursing Service in 1920s Appalachia. Each story has its sorrows, but is overflowing with hope and courage. I very much hope First Son is ready to read this himself next year and enjoy it when we reach the 1920s in our American history course. (library copy)

Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens by J. M. Barrie started out very slowly. As Peter Pan was introduced, it got a little better, but there's not much of a plot in this book. It's really more of an introduction to Peter. I have to admit, I wasn't all that impressed, but that may have much to do with my heart breaking at the thought of a boy leaving his mother and then being locked out when he tried to return. (available for free on the Kindle)

The Storm by Cynthia Rylant was a preview. I'm on the lookout for early reader books for First Daughter. This book is the first in a series (The Lighthouse Family) and I think it will be a fine one. Kansas Dad peeked a bit over my shoulder and was wryly commenting on how ridiculous it is, but five year old girls relish the ridiculous. (library copy)

The Book of Dragons by E. Nesbit is a collection of short stories involving English children and dragons. The dragons are generally bad (for those concerned about such things), though there is one that becomes tame and turns into a cat. I found the stories reasonably enjoyable and would be willing for my children to read them on their own, but I decided against reading them aloud. (available for free on the Kindle without illustrations)

The House of Sixty Fathers by Meindert DeJong tells of Tien Pao's journey and search for his parents when he is separated from them shortly after they flee their village and the attacking Japanese early in the Second Sino-Japanese war (I think) in the 1930s. At first I was horrified reading this book. As a mother, the thought of my young son experiencing war then being separated from us and (as far as we knew) worse...well, my heart was breaking. As I continued to read, however, I was amazed at the boy's courage and the descriptions of China and Chinese countrymen. The book includes descriptions of events that terrorize the young boy like planes strafing his village, men and horses being killed, blood turning the river red...This is not a book for young children, but it is a book for children. Next year, First Son will be in third grade. I'm considering reading this book aloud to him, either as part of our American studies (during which we'll study that time period and the book does include American soldiers in China) or for our geography study of China. I think, though, it will only work for us if I can read it when First Daughter is not listening. She has a sensitive heart and I would worry about her listening. (She'd be six early next school year. First Son at six might have been fine with this book, but I doubt First Daughter would be.)  (library copy)

Next Spring an Oriole by Gloria Whelan is the story of Libby and her family as they settle into their new home on the Michigan frontier. It's an easy chapter book and I intend for First Son to read it during our American history studies. It's the first of a series that looks promising. The author also appears to have many other historical fiction books that might fit with our studies. (library copy)

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp (received as a gift from a dear friend)

A Doctor Like Papa by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock is an easy chapter book that touches on a variety of wonderful concepts - a girl who wants to be a doctor in 1918, WWI, the influenza epidemic, and the effects of all of these on families in Vermont. It's a story of fear, courage, and how people keep living when life is hard. First Son will be reading this as part of our American history next year. (library copy)

The Paint Brush Kid by Clyde Robert Bulla was better than the first book (The Chalk Box Kid). Gregory and his friends decide to paint the house of a neighbor with the stories of his life. When the house is scheduled for demolition to make room for a freeway, Gregory finds the courage to speak out to try to save the house. The ending is surprising, but sweet. First Son's reading level is above this book and I don't think I'll ask First Daughter to read it during her reading lessons, but it would be acceptable for silent reading. (library copy)

My Storytime Bible by Renita Boyle (a review for The Catholic Company)

The Life You Save May Be Your Own by Paul Elie (library copy)

The Canada Geese Quilt by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock tells of Ariel and her family in the 1940s as they struggle with the recovery of her devoted grandmother after a stroke while preparing for a new baby. I think it could be a nice complement to a young person's study of World War II and think I'll ask First Son to read it next year (third grade). Like A Doctor Like Papa, the book is set in Vermont. (library copy)

O Little Town: A Novel by Don Reid is a little novel centered on the interactions of the people in a small town in the days before Christmas. It's a nice little story and kept me occupied during our drive to my parent's house when I wanted something light. The sermon at the end seemed to elicit a more miraculous response than it warranted, but I can live with that. (Kindle edition, available for free for as a limited time offer)

The Help by Kathryn Stockett was a great vacation book. It was engaging and entertaining without requiring a lot of thought on my part. Set in the 1960s, it focuses on racial interactions and inequities in a way that can help us think about them today as well. It's worth a few hours of your time to read it, though I do wish our library had a copy of the DVD so I could see the movie now. (borrowed copy)

The Cabin Faced West by Jean Fritz is the story of a ten year old girl on the frontier in Pennsylvania. She's ambivalent about her family's new home at the beginning of the novel, but grows to love it and to recognize her love for it. I had never read this as a child, but I intend to read it aloud to the kids when we're learning about the era just after the Revolutionary War. (library copy)

Because there were quite a few pre-reads this month, I thought I'd point out that I do not intend to read every book before the children do. It works out that way now because First Son doesn't read many chapter books unless I sit him down next to me and demand he read aloud. I do, however, like to pre-read all the books we may use for lessons because First Daughter is nearly three years younger than First Son and yet listens in on nearly all our lessons. She's a sensitive soul, as I've mentioned before, so I tend to be careful about what she may hear. I also like to pre-read any book I'm introducing within our lessons as I feel they may be given greater respect by the children. I'd like that respect to be well-deserved.

October Book Report

Write These Laws on Your Children by Robert Kunzman (inter-library loan copy)

Young Pioneers by Rose Wilder Lane will seem familiar to anyone who has read the Little House books, though written for an older audience. Young David and Molly stake a claim, facing grasshoppers, blizzards and loneliness. It's well written and enjoyable. I was particularly struck by how little Molly had to do during the winter. She had one book of Tennyson poems and very little else to occupy her mind.  Sometimes I think weathering a winter of blizzards in a cozy little house on the prairie would be wonderful, given enough food, an Internet connection, a Kindle and an iPad. I would have made a poor settler's wife in her time, though. (library copy)

Francis: The Journey and the Dream by Murray Bodo (a review for The Catholic Company)

Chalk Box Kid by Clyde Robert Bulla is the story of Gregory's move to a new home and a new school. Things don't start out so well for him, but his creativity and artistic endeavors ease his transition. This is a fine early reader (much below First Son's reading level), but I didn't feel like it was great. (library copy)

I think it's kind of funny I commented on September's list that it was so short -- and here's October with even fewer! I am, however, in the middle of about seven books. I think that's complicating the finishing part.

Busy September Days

Grammy, the kids, and I spent the day in Medicine Lodge for the Indian Peace Treaty Pageant (and parade). It was wonderful! Well, the parade and the pageant were wonderful. The kids were hot and tired, but I think it was valuable for them, too.

If you are anywhere near Kansas, you should try to make it out this weekend.

We were late getting home, late with baths and dinner. We are all tired and have a busy weekend ahead of us: First Daughter's birthday, two soccer games, the usual Sunday PSR and Mass and a princess birthday party!

I need to get some sleep so I have energy for the cleaning and preparing and partying!

June Book Reports

Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield

Johnny Tremain by Ester Forbes is the story of a young apprentice in Boston as the revolutionary thoughts are brewing. Johnny is intimately involved in the plots and participates in the Boston Tea Party. The setting describes many historical figures and events vividly but the fictional characters are engaging in themselves. I was contemplating it for our study of the Revolutionary War in second grade, but I think it would better suit older children. I'll make a note of it for the next time we study it.

Silas Marner by George Eliot is the story of Silas Marner, a weaver wronged by his fiance and best friend who loses faith in God and humanity. He wanders to a new land and discovers hoarding money gives him a security he lacks. The book, of course, is the story of his redemption, when a young girl with golden hair wanders into his hut shortly after his gold is stolen. I hadn't read this book since I was in high school and it's much better than I remembered.

And all as we've got to do is trusten, Master Marner--to do the right thing as fur as we know, and to trusten. For if us as knows so little can see a bit o' good and rights, we may be sure as there's a good and a rights bigger nor what we can know--I feel it i' my own inside as it must be so.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving is clever and fun. I hadn't read it, though I can't think why since it's a short tale. I'm delighted to find the Kindle is encouraging me to read many of the classics I have always wanted to read.

The Story of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting is another children's classic I had never read. It's a pretty fun and exciting book, but was anyone else disturbed at the part where the poor black prince in Africa wants to be white and they kind of trick him by painting his face with a weird concoction of chemicals? I'm not sure I'll avoid reading it with the kids just because of that, but I have to admit I'm not sure how I feel about it.

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. Hmm, how many classic children's books can I read for the first time in a month? This is another one I missed when growing up. (I really read all the time, really and truly.) This one is very enjoyable, but I think its puns and cleverness is better suited to an independent reader with a bit more grammar and spelling knowledge. I think I'll set it aside and let First Son read it on his own later, perhaps in third or fourth grade.

The Princess and the Goblin by George McDonald. This is one classic children's novel I did read, but I'd forgotten most of it. I enjoyed it thoroughly and think we'll probably listen to it together this summer or next year. It's available for free for the Kindle.

Bound for Oregon by Jean Van Leeuwen tells the story of nine-year-old Mary Ellen Todd, who travels the Oregon Trail with her family. I was considering reading this aloud to the children next year as we study westward migration, but I'm not quite sure. I'm not too concerned about all the people who die; such things happened on the Oregon Trial and I'm hopeful my children will not fear death. No...what concerns me is the story of the other father in their group who, in the midst of hallucinations, attempts to stab his children with a knife. It's one thing if parents die (as this father did), but to physically attack his own children...I'm not sure I want my children thinking of such things, especially the girls. I do think it would be a better choice than On to Oregon! for us, but at the moment I think we'll wait until the next time we study the Oregon Trail to read one of these books.

Marriage: Small Steps, Big Rewards by Dr. Ray Guarendi (a review for The Catholic Company)

Plants on the Trail with Lewis and Clark (Lewis & Clark Expedition) by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent is recommended on Serendipity's Along the American History Trail for Lewis and Clark. Though I intend to use many of Serendipity's book recommendations for our American History next year (because This Country of Ours did not work for us at all last year), I don't plan to incorporate everything like nature study, science, and music. We're going to read American History. However, this book is surprisingly good and has the distinct advantage of mentioning and picturing many wildflowers and plants that continue to grow here in Kansas, some in our own front meadow. So I'm considering...I'm thinking of flipping through it a bit with them here and there and then bringing it out again in the spring and summer to identify some of the plants in person. (I think we'll finish Lewis and Clark before the spring flowers really appear.)

My reading list this month is heavy on the children's books as I'm trying to read my way through a bunch of them in preparation for next year. Kansas Dad has been encouraging me to read some more challenging material as well so I've also been reading through Towards A Philosophy of Education which I actually bought for the Kindle. It wasn't very expensive and doesn't hurt my hand to hold it open like my copy (which is not the one in the link).

On a related note, we listened to Justin Morgan Had a Horse by Marguerite Henry this month. If I had remembered more of it, I would have saved it for next year's American history. It's set in Vermont (mostly) in the 1790s and continues past the War of 1812. Ah well, we enjoyed it now.