November Books

In November, by Cynthia Rylant

Balloons Over Broadway, by Melissa Sweet

Cranberry Thanksgiving, by Wende and Harry Devlin

For littles: The Story of Thanksgiving, by Nancy Skarmeas

For bigs: The Thanksgiving Story, by Alice Dalgliesh

October Books

Just a few fall favorites to share with you today:

The Busy Little Squirrel, Nancy Tafuri

The Pumpkin Runner, Marsha Diane Arnold

Too Many Pumpkins, Linda White

Every Autumn Comes the Bear, Jim Arnosky

The Apple Pie Tree, Zoe Hall

What's In the Book Box: September

I refill our read-aloud book basket at the beginning of each month, and I thought this school year I'd try to pull together some collections of stories with a common thread. For September, which for us is a month of settling in to our school and activity routine, I chose books about home and family and sibling relationships--books that evoke some warm fuzzies and have lots of beautiful illustrations. These all make great bedtime stories. Daddy usually does the bedtime reading around here. He will read one of these picture books, and then a chapter from a longer read-aloud (currently The Jungle Book). I read a picture book during our school Wonder Hour, and then read from a chapter book before quiet time. Thomas brings us books to read all day long, and our kids know that if at all possible, if they bring their Daddy or me a book and ask us to read it, we will. :) 

All the Beatrix Potter stories

Maple, Lori Nichols

Maple and Willow, Lori Nichols

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, Judith Viorst

The Golden Plate, Bernadette Watts

The Family Under the Moon, Nancy Jewell

Ox-Cart Man, Donald Hall

Miss Rumphius, Barbara Cooney

My Great-Aunt Arizona, Gloria Houston

The Little House, Virginia Lee Burton

I Like to Be Little, Charlotte Zolotow

On Mother's Lap, Ann Herbert Scott

Treasury for Children, James Herriot

Roxaboxen, Alice McLerran

Bedtime for Frances, Russell Hoban (and all the Frances books)

Julius, the Baby of the World, Kevin Henkes

A House is a House for Me, Mary Ann Hoberman

Coat of Many Colors, Dolly Parton

Do You Know What I'll Do, Charlotte Zolotow

The Complete Brambly Hedge, Jill Barklem

Recent Picture Book Reads

Now that the library is back open for pick-up (hurray!), we've been enjoying lots of new picture books. Here are some of our recent favorites.

Thomas
Demolition, Sally Sutton
Stick, Irene Dickson

Nora
Mr. Squirrel and the Moon, Sebastian Meschenmoser
How to Get a Job by Me the Boss, Sally Lloyd-Jones

Sophie
Sergeant Reckless: The True Story of the Little Horse Who Became a Hero, Patricia McCormick

Annie and Jacob
A Green Place to Be: The Creation of Central Park, Ashley Benham Yazdani
Lumber Jills: The Unsung Heroines of WWII, Alexandra Davis
Six Dots: A Story of Young Louis Braille, Jen Bryant

Elizabeth Goudge

One of the authors I've discovered during my Covid reading is Elizabeth Goudge. I'm not sure how I managed to miss out on her books until now. She's a lovely writer. Her stories have depth and beautiful, rich language. What a treasure! If you're looking for a great read, try Pilgrim's Rest first. It is the second book in a trilogy but it stands alone well. I love the themes of beauty, home, and restoration that run throughout her books, of characters choosing truth even when it is very, very difficult.

"And then Lucilla knew what she was going to do with the rest of her life. She was going to build some sort of a refuge, somewhere, to which her children and her grandchildren could escape. Not a permanent escape; even in her grief she still knew that a selfish isolation is the sure road to hell; but that temporary one which is the right of every man. They were talking a lot just now about the war to end war, and a country fit for heroes to live in. She thought they deceived themselves. She had seen now what life could be, and what man could do when the devil was in him. She had not much hope of any wholesale change; only of the creation of isolated homes of beauty from which, please God, the loveliness should spread. Such a home would she make for her children and her grandchildren. They should come to it weary and sickened and go away made new. They should find peace there, and beauty, and the cleansing of the sins." The Bird in the Tree, pg 38-39.

Early Modern History: reading list for the grammar stage

Here's our reading list for history this year. We used Vol. 3 of Story of the World as our spine, and supplemented with these titles. Some we read aloud and some the children read on their own. So many good books here!

Terror on the Amazon, Phil Gates
The Colony of Virginia, Brooke Coleman
If You Sailed on the Mayflower in 1620, Ann McGovern
Sarah Morton's Day, Kate Waters
Samuel Eaton's Day, Kate Waters
Tapenum's Day, Kate Waters
Who’s That Stepping on Plymouth Rock? Jean Fritz
The Pilgrims at Plymouth, Lucille Recht Penner
Samurai Castle, Fiona MacDonald
Taj Mahal, Christine Moorcroft
India, Eyewitness
The New Americans, Betsy and Giulio Maestro
Kids in Colonial Times, Lisa Wroble
If You Lived in Colonial Times, Ann McGovern
Mary Geddy's Day, Kate Waters
A Day in the Life of a Colonial Dressmaker, Amy French Merrill (and others in the series)
You Wouldn't Want to Be an American Colonist, Jacqueline Marley
The King's Day, Aliki
Struggle for a Continent, Betsy and Giulio Maestro
Russia, Eyewitness
The First Tulips in Holland, Phyllis Krasilovsky
The Farewell Symphony, Anna Harwell Celenza
If You Grew Up with George Washington, Ruth Belov Gross
If You Lived at the Time of the American Revolution, Kay Moore
Can't You Make Them Behave, King George? Jean Fritz
Will You Sign Here, John Hancock? Jean Fritz
And Then What Happened, Paul Revere? Jean Fritz
Liberty or Death: the American Revolution, Betsy and Giulio Maestro
What’s the Big Idea, Ben Franklin? Jean Fritz
Where Was Patrick Henry on the 29th of May, Jean Fritz
A More Perfect Union, Betsy and Giulio Maestro
Shhh! We’re Writing the Constitution, Jean Fritz
If You Were There When They Signed the Constitution, Elizabeth Levy
The Bill of Rights, Patricia Ryon Quiri
Pirates, Barnaby Harward
From Plant to Blue Jeans, Arthur John L'Hommedieu
The Story of an English Village, John Goodall
Kids During the Industrial Revolution, Lisa Wroble
The National Anthem, Patricia Ryon Quiri
A New Nation, Betsy and Giulio Maestro
Kids in Pioneer Times, Lisa Wroble
If You Traveled West in a Covered Wagon, Ellen Levine
If You Were a Pioneer on the Prairie, Anne Kamma
If You Lived with the Cherokee, Peter and Connie Roop
If You Lived with the Iroquois, Ellen Levine
If You Lived with the Souix, Ann McGovern
They're Off! The Story of the Pony Express, Cheryl Harness
California Gold Rush, Peter and Connie Roop
Gold Fever, Catherine McMorrow

Biography
Rembrandt, Venezia
The True Story of Pocahontas, Lucille Recht Penner
Galileo, Jacqueline Mitton
Samuel de Champlain, Claude Hurwicz
Squanto, Clyde Robert Bulla
Hokusai, Deborah Kogan Ray
Thinkers, Michael Pollard (selections)
Bach, Venezia
Handel, Venezia
Mozart, Venezia
Beethoven, Venezia
Peter the Great, Diane Stanley
Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen, Deborah Hopkinson
Meet George Washington, John Heilbroner
A Picture Book of George Washington, David Adler
Martha Washington, Jean Brown Wagoner
Crispus Attucks, Dharathula Millender
John Adams Speaks for Freedom, Deborah Hopkinson
Betsy Ross and the Silver Thimble, Stephanie Greene
A Picture Book of Patrick Henry, David Adler
Meet Thomas Jefferson, Marvin Barrett
Thomas Jefferson: A Picture Book Biography James Cross Giblin
Sacagawea, Joyce Milton
Andrew Jackson, Venezia
Charles Dickens, Diane Stanley
Lewis and Clark, Steven Kroll
James Monroe, Venezia
A Picture Book of Simon Bolivar, David Adler
Tecumseh, Rachel Koestler-Grack
Davy Crockett, Aileen Wells Parks
Daniel Boone, Augusta Stevenson
Buffalo Bill, Augusta Stevenson
Jean Lafitte, Aileen Weintraub
Shaka, Diane Stanley
Only Passing Through: The Story of Sojourner Truth, Anne Rockwell
Sitting Bull, Augusta Stevenson
Sequoyah, Dorothea Snow
Jim Bowie, Marianne Johnston

Favorite Recent Reads: January and February

Anne of Green Gables, L.M. Montgomery. I read this aloud to the kids and it might be an even more magical story read aloud than all the times I've read it to myself.

the Emily books, L.M. Montgomery. Re-reading Anne inspired me to re-read the Emily books. I hadn't read these since high school. A different flavor than the Anne books--I enjoyed these more as an adult than I did as a teen. Montgomery is an excellent writer and everyone should have a chance to explore some of her work!

Adorning the Dark, Andrew Peterson. This book was so good, I had to restrict myself from reading it in one sitting. I was sad when it ended. Andrew, we need more! Some favorite quotes below; also, the entire last two pages--you should get a copy and read it for yourself.

The steady resonance of your work might move someone closer to the Kingdom.

Sometimes you have to put away your wants and do what needs to be done, which really means dying to self in order to find life. This is a way of practicing resurrection.

It is our job, it is our ministry, it is the sword we swing in the Kingdom, to remind children that the good guys win, that the stories are true, and that a fool's hope may be the best kind.

Delight in what you find delightful more than you bemoan what isn't.

The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction, Alan Jacobs. I love a good book about reading or books. :) This one isn't about lists or methods, but about reading to Whim. Read what you enjoy, read for yourself not for a teacher or improvement or a list, read to expand the joy in your life.

Motivate Your Child, Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller. I find the cover of this book off-putting, but the content is so good. I heard a podcast with Turansky and thought, "I need to read his book and find out more." Very practical guide for heart-training, instead of behavior modification parenting.

Dangerous Journey, Oliver Hunkin. Picture book/short chapter book retelling of Pilgrim's Progress. The children and I read it several years ago and revisited it last month. The power and beauty of the story is in no way diminished in this children's version.

Suffer Strong, Katherine and Jay Wolfe. Thankful for Katherine and Jay and their ministry to hurting people (which is pretty much every person on the planet).

New-to-us favorite poetry books

We have always been poetry readers and have lots of favorite anthologies. I just stumbled on a series of books that cover one poet each, and we love them. The books are called Poetry for Young People. There are lots of them on several poets! They include a short biography and a sampling of poetry (around 40 pages). The poems often have a two-sentence introduction, and definitions for any obscure words. So glad we stumbled on these! My kids are enjoying focusing on one poet at a time instead of the anthology method we have been using.

Reading List 2019

Reading List 2019
1. The Penderwicks on Gardam Street, Jeanne Birdsall
2. The Penderwicks at Point Mouette, Jeanne Birdsall
3. Redwall, Brian Jacques
4. The Boxcar Children, Gertrude Warren
5. The Penderwicks in Spring, Jeanne Birdsall
6. The Penderwicks at Last, Jeanne Birdsall
7. The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupery
8. Book Girl, Sarah Clarkson
9. Race and Liberty in America, Jonathan Bean
10. The Prisoner in the Third Cell, Gene Edwards
11. Henry and Ribsy, Beverly Cleary
12. Knights of the Round Table, Gwen Gross
13. Joan of Arc, Diane Stanley
14. The Horse and His Boy, C.S. Lewis
15. Persuasion, Jane Austen
16. Little Lord Fauntleroy, Frances Hodgson Burnett
17. Forever with You, Robin Jones Gunn
18. Home of Our Hearts, Robin Jones Gunn
19. One More Wish, Robin Jones Gunn
20. Happy Little Family, Rebecca Caudill
21. Columbus, d’Aulaire
22. Forever with You, Robin Jones Gunn
23. Home of Our Hearts, Robin Jones Gunn
24. One More Wish, Robin Jones Gunn
25. Sandy Toes, Robin Jones Gunn
26. Salty Kisses, Robin Jones Gunn
27. Sunset Lullaby, Robin Jones Gunn
28. Schoolhouse in the Woods, Rebecca Caudill
29. On Reading Well, Karen Swallow Prior
30. The Mind of the South, W.J. Cash
31. The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street, Karina Yon Glaser
32. Henry and the Paper Route, Beverly Cleary
33. Tales from Shakespeare, Charles and Mary Lamb
34. The Point of It All, Charles Krauthammer
35. The Way of Abundance, Ann Voskamp
36. Rethinking School, Susan Wise Bauer
37. Books to Build On, E.D. Hirsch
38. Books that Build Character, William Kilpatrick
39. A Biblical Home Education, Ruth Beechick
40. Muggie Maggie, Beverly Cleary
41. The Unhurried Homeschooler, Durenda Wilson
42. Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World, Kristen Welch
43. Give Your Child the World, Jamie Martin
44. Stories from Dante Told to the Children, Mary MacGregor
45. The Magician’s Nephew, C.S. Lewis
46. Henry and the Clubhouse, Beverly Cleary
47. The Brave Learner, Julie Bogart
48. North or Be Eaten, Andrew Peterson
49. Better Together, Pam Barnhill
50. Ribsy, Beverly Cleary
51. The Monster in the Hollows, Andrew Peterson
52. The Warden and the Wolf King, Andrew Peterson
53. The Last Battle, C.S. Lewis
54. Socks, Beverly Cleary
55. The Connected Child, Karyn Purvis
56. The Storm-Tossed Family, Russell Moore
57. King of the Wind, Marguerite Henry
58. Reading Magic, Mem Fox
59. Long Days of Small Things, Catherine McNiel
60. Betsy-Tacy, Maude Lovelace
61. American Tall Tales, Mary Pope Osborne
62. Therefore I Have Hope, Cameron Cole
63. Let Us Now Praise Famous Men, James Agee and Walker Evans
64. The First Five Years of Marriage, Focus on the Family
65. A Man Called Peter, Catherine Marshall
66. Up and Down the River, Rebecca Caudill
67. The Printed Letter Bookshop, Katherine Reay
68. The Blue Castle, L.M. Montgomery
69. The Enchanted Hour, Meghan Cox Gurdon
70. The Great Brain, John Fitzgerald
71. The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden, Katrina Yan Glaser
72. Ellen Tebbits, Beverly Cleary
73. The Survival Guide for Parents of Gifted Kids, Sally Yahnke Walker
74. First Man, James Hansen
75. The Cabin Faced West, Jean Fritz
76. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll
77. A Woman of No Importance, Sonia Purnell
78. Drawing with Children, Mona Brookes
79. The Five Love Languages of Children, Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell
80. Just Show Up, Cal Ripken Jr
81. Schoolroom in the Parlor, Rebecca Caudill
82. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
83. Where Is God When It Hurts?, Philip Yancey
84. Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café, Fannie Flagg
85. Secrets, Robin Jones Gunn
86. Whispers, Robin Jones Gunn
87. By the Great Horn Spoon, Sid Fleischman
88. Echoes, Robin Jones Gunn
89. Sunsets, Robin Jones Gunn
90. Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, Margaret Hodges
91. Emily’s Runaway Imagination, Beverly Cleary
92. At Home in the World, Tsh Oxenreider
93. The Last Train to London, Meg Waite Clayton
94. The Vanderbeekers to the Rescue, Karina Yan Glaser
95. Wild Things, Stephen James and David Thomas
96. Complete Fairy Tales, Perrault, translated by A.E. Johnson
97. My Side of the Mountain, Jean Craighead George
98. Raising Girls, Sissy Goff
99. Clouds, Robin Jones Gunn
100. Waterfalls, Robin Jones Gunn
101. Woodlands, Robin Jones Gunn
102. Wildflowers, Robin Jones Gunn
103. Pilgrim Stories, Margaret Pumphrey
104. Robinson Crusoe, abridged Daniel Defoe
105. Praying Through the Bible for Your Kids, Nancy Guthrie
106. Gulliver’s Travels, abridged Jonathan Swift
107. The Greatest Gift, Ann Voskamp
108. Songs of Innocence, William Blake
109. Wild Mountain Thyme, Rosamunde Pilcher
110. Christmas with Anne, L.M. Montgomery
111. The Austen Escape, Katherine Reay
112. The Blue Bedroom and Other Stories, Rosamunde Pilcher
113. The Hunchback of Notre Dame, abridged Victor Hugo
114. Mitch and Amy, Beverly Cleary
115. The Bronte Plot, Katherine Reay

Our Favorite Christmas Books

In no particular order...

The Sweet Smell of Christmas, Patricia Scarry
Merry Christmas, Amelia Bedelia, Peggy Parish
Christmas in the Manger, Nola Buck
My Merry Christmas, Sally Lloyd-Jones
The Night Before Christmas, Clement C. Moore
The Story of Holly and Ivy, Rumer Godden
A Night of Great Joy, Mary Engelbreit
Silent Night, Margaret Hodges
How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Dr. Seuss
Lighthouse Christmas, Toni Buzzeo
Song of the Stars, Sally Lloyd-Jones
Great Joy, Kate DeCamillo
Room for a Little One, Martin Waddell
The Story of Christmas, Jane Ray
The Glorious Christmas Songbook, Cooper Edens and Benjamin Darling
The Giving Manger, Allison Hottinger
Mortimer's Christmas Manger, Karma Wilson
The Christmas Story, Patricia Pingry
The Christmas Collie, Ted Paul
Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree, Robert Barry
Jesus, the Very Best Christmas Gift of All, Cathi Trzeciak
Alabaster's Song, Max Lucado
Apple Tree Christmas, Trinka Hakes Noble
Christmas in the Big Woods, Laura Ingalls Wilder
The Legend of the Christmas Tree, Rick Osborne

Dog Stories

I have dog-loving children. Here are some of our very favorite dog stories!

The Angus books, by Marjorie Flack

The Harry books, by Gene Zion

Stay, Kate Klise

The Bookshop Dog, Cynthia Rylant

Treasury for Children, James Herriot

Lately: Some Favorite Picture Books

I always have stacks and stacks of books on hold at the library. Thankful for our librarians, who just grin when I say "I think we have some books on hold" and head off to fetch my basket. Here are some of our picture book favorites lately:

Two great true stories to inspire my girls (and boys):
Good Queen Bess: The Story of Elizabeth I of England, Diane Stanley
Secret Engineer: How Emily Roebling Built the Brooklyn Bridge, Rachel Dougherty

Follow the Drinking Gourd, Jeanette Winter - a gentle introduction to American slavery and the Underground Railroad

Two sweet stories from a favorite author:
Mrs. Katz and Tush, Patricia Polacco
Thank You, Mr. Falker, Patricia Polacco

The Clown of God, Tomie dePaola - I have so many favorite dePaola books. This is a current one.

These three books have beautiful illustrations:
First Book of Nature, Nicola Davies
Outside Your Window: A First Book of Nature, Nicola Davies
National Parks of the USA, Kate Siber

Two more great true stories:
The Bravest Dog Ever: The True Story of Balto, Natalie Standiford
The Pumpkin Runner, Marsha Diane Arnold

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes, Mem Fox - because although Thomas sits patiently in my lap through all the big kids' chapter books, we make sure to read him some baby books, too!

Two more picture books with lovely illustrations:
Hello Lighthouse, Sophie Blackall
And Then It's Spring, Julie Fogliano

Once There Was A Story: Tales from Around the World, Jane Yolen - a story anthology from another favorite author

Mama's Recent Reading

Book Girl, Sarah Clarkson. Love Sarah's insights and her reading lists for grown-ups. I want to read more fiction and her suggestions will help.

Persuasion, Jane Austen. My favorite Austen novel. I re-read it every year.

On Reading Well, Karen Swallow Prior. The English major in me just loves books about books!

The Point of It All, Charles Krauthammer. No other columnist can say what needs to be said like Krauthammer.

Rethinking School, Susan Wise Bauer. One of my favorites of the education books I read recently. Excellent ideas for helping your child get the best education for them--public, private, or home.

Books to Build On, E.D. Hirsch. From the author of Cultural Literacy--this is the kid's version and has good suggestions on many topics.

Books that Build Character, William Kilpatrick. I bought a copy of this one--book lists for character qualities.

A Biblical Home Education, Ruth Beechick. I didn't agree with much here. Beechick's education philosophy was basically just "teach them the Bible and don't worry about the rest." Now I will be the first to say that all that I teach my children is grounded in our faith and we hold a high view of Scripture, but there's a lot more to education than just knowing your Bible.

The Unhurried Homeschooler, Durenda Wilson. Along the same lines as Beechick, but not quite as strict. Wilson is a little too on the "unschooling" side for me. This book verified that for me, it is important for my children to have an academically rigorous education. I want to build strong minds, bodies, and spirits.

Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World, Kristen Welch. Loved, loved, loved this book. I bought this one, too. A must read for any American parent.

Give Your Child the World, Jamie Martin. Another excellent book (that I bought for our home library). Suggestions and book recommendations for teaching your child all about this big world we live in!

The Brave Learner, Julie Bogart. I wanted to like this book, but I really just didn't. I picked up a few helpful tips. Apparently I'm not a brave enough learner to leave the glitter and glue out where my children can get to them at any time.

Better Together, Pam Barnhill. A helpful little book about how to do "morning time," with tons of practical suggestions. I bought this one, too.

The Connected Child, Karyn Purvis. Amazing book designed for adoptive parents, but a book I'd recommend to any parent. Great insights into a child's brain and helpful parenting suggestions for lots of situations.

The Storm-Tossed Family, Russell Moore. Another solid book from Dr. Moore.

Long Days of Small Things, Catherine McNiel. Enjoyed this book on practicing spiritual disciplines in the throes of mothering littles.

The Wingfeather Saga, Andrew Peterson. The Gent and I both really enjoyed this four-book series. Can't wait to read it with my kids when they are a little older!

Medieval History for the Grammar Stage

Finishing up the book lists...for now. ;) Here were our top picks for supplements to our medieval history study.

Culture Overviews
1. Japan: The Culture, Bobbie Kalman
2. Japan: The Land, Bobbie Kalman
3. Australia, Allan Fowler
4. Look What Came From Spain, Kevin Davis
5. Welcome to Russia, Alison Auch
6. The Great Wall, Elizabeth Mann
7. Who Were the Vikings? Jane Chisholm
8. A Street Through Time, Annie Millard
9. A City Through Time, Philip Steele
10. The Story of Chocolate, C.J. Polin
11. The Inca Empire, Sandra Newman
12. The Ancient Maya, Jackie Maloy
13. The Aztec Empire, Sunita Apte

Biographies
14. Leif the Lucky, D’Aulaire
15. Saint Francis, Brian Wildsmith
16. Saladin, Diane Stanley
17. Who in the World was the Acrobatic Empress? Robin Phillips
18. Who in the World was the Unready King? Connie Clark
19. Genghis Khan, Demi
20. Henry the Navigator, Claude Hurwicz
21. Joan of Arc, Diane Stanley
22. Leonardo da Vinci, John Malam
23. Leonardo da Vinci, Diane Stanley
24. Selections from Geometry’s Great Thinkers, Bonnie Coulter Leech
25. Selections from The Reformation, Ezra George
26. William Shakespeare and the Globe, Aliki
27. Bard of Avon, Diane Stanley
28. Who in the World was the Forgotten Explorer? Lorene Lambert
29. Who in the World was the Secret Printer? Robert Beckham
30. Good Queen Bess, Diane Stanley
31. Columbus, D’Aulaire

European Medieval Life
32. A Medieval Feast, Aliki
33. What Were Castles For? Phil Roxbee Cox
34. The Duke and the Peasant, Wendy Beckett
35. Till Year’s Good End, W. Nikola-Lisa
36. The Middle Ages, Jane Shuter
37. The Medieval World, Philip Steele
38. Knights in Shining Armor, Gail Gibbons
39. Castle, Christopher Gravett
40. Knight, Christopher Gravett

Ancient History for the Grammar Stage

I know I posted the kids' ancient literature list from last year, but I don't think I ever posted our history reading list. We use Susan Wise Bauer's Story of the World as our history spine, and then supplement from there. I love this approach to teaching history. There are many ways to teach history, but I want to raise my kids with the awareness that there is much more to the world than our little corner and our present time. Traditional "social studies" starts with the child and then goes out from there, which to me just reinforces a child's natural tendency to believe the world revolves around them. ;) I'm also a fan of teaching history chronologically, so my kids can see where the stories they hear fit. So we start at creation and go to the present day, over a four year cycle. These were our favorite books from last year's study of ancient history. We didn't read every word of the Eyewitness books, but they have good illustrations.

1. I Can Be An Archeologist, Robert Pickering
2. Me and My Family Tree, Joan Sweeney
3. The Nile River, Allan Fowler
4. Egyptian Gods and Goddesses, Henry Barker
5. How the Ancient Egyptians Lived, Jane Shuter
6. Seeker of Knowledge, James Rumford
7. Who Built the Pyramids, Jane Chishol
8. The Great Pyramid, Elizabeth Mann
9. Tut’s Mummy, Judy Donnelly
10. Ancient Egypt, George Hart (Eyewitness)
11. Great Wonders of the World, Russell Ash
12. Hidden Army, Jane O’Connor
13. Buddha, Demi
14. Great Wall of China, Leonard Fisher
15. Long is a Dragon, Peggy Goldstein
16. Ancient China, Arthur Cotterell (Eyewitness)
17. The Librarian Who Measured the Earth, Kathryn Lasky
18. Ancient Greece, Anne Pearson (Eyewitness)
19. Alexander the Great, Demi
20. In Search of Troy, Piero Ventura
21. Selections from The Great Philosopher, Mary Gow
22. Romulus and Remus, Anne Rockwell
23. The Roman Colosseum, Elizabeth Mann
24. Roman Numerals I to MM, Arthru Geisert
25. The Romans, Peter Hicks
26. Who Was Julius Caesar, Nico Medina
27. Augustus and Imperial Rome, Miriam Greenblatt
28. Cleopatra, Diane Stanley
29. Ancient Rome, Simon James (Eyewitness)
30. Pompeii, Richard Platt

Medieval Literature for the Grammar Stage

This year we studied medieval history and literature. We read SO MANY books. Here are our favorites!

1. Favorite Medieval Tales, Mary Pope Osborne (various – long)
2. Across a Dark and Wild Sea, Don Brown (Ireland)
3. Patrick, Tomie dePaola (Ireland)
4. Little Oh, Jim LaMarche (Japan)
5. The Warlord’s Puzzle, Virginia Walton Pilegard (China)
6. Book of Norse Myths, D’Aulaire (Scandinavia and Germany – long)
7. Three Golden Oranges, Alma Flor Ada (Spain)
8. Marguerite Makes a Book, Bruce Robertson (France)
9. Puss in Boots, Malcolm Arthur (France)
10. Little Red Riding Hood, Harriet Ziefert (France)
11. The Fly on the Ceiling, Julie Glass (France – about Descartes)
12. Robin Hood and the Golden Arrow, Robert San Souci (England)
13. Robin Hood, Annie Ingle (England – short chapter)
14. Knights of the Round Table, Gwen Gross (England – short chapter)
15. The Kitchen Knight, Margaret Hodges (England)
16. Sir Cumference and the First Round Table, Cindy Neuschwander (England – math story)
17. St. George and the Dragon, Margaret Hodges (England)
18. Chanticleer and the Fox, Barbara Cooney (England)
19. Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare for Children, E. Nesbit (England – long)
20. The King’s Chessboard, David Birch (India)
21. Savitri, Aaron Shepard (India)
22. Moon Rope, Lois Ehlert (America)
23. Stories from Dante Told to the Children, Mary MacGregor (Italy – long)

In particular, I recommend the first and last titles on this list. Mary Pope Osborne (of Magic Tree House fame) does a fantastic job retelling Beowulf, Robin Hood, Sir Gawain, and more for the elementary-age child, and she has a beautiful way with language. Stories from Dante Told to the Children provides background, author information, and a summary of The Divine Comedy--no easy feat. In fact, unless you just love Dante, this version is about all you need to know as an adult, too. ;)

Series Books for Children

Annie and Jacob are entering the world of series books. Didn't you love a good series when you were an eager new reader? I want them to read good books but I also just want them to read, so I allow a good bit of leeway in letting them choose their own books (although I only let Jacob choose so many Lego and Superhero books). I make sure I am reading aloud quality literature and then if they want to read every Cam Jansen book that's just fine. Here are some of their current favorites:

Nate the Great by Marjorie Sharmot
Mercy Watson by Kate DeCamillo (Jacob loves these)
Cam Jansen by David Adler
Magic Tree House by Mary Osborne Pope
the original American Girl books, many by Valerie Tripp (Annie's favorites)

I recently pre-read some children's novels I had heard a lot about.
The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall. I fell in love with these books and read them all for the pure enjoyment of great stories filled with lovable characters. My kids aren't quite ready for these yet but you can bet we will be reading them aloud in a couple more years!

The Green Ember by S.D. Smith. Action-packed; I was tired by the end of this one. Jacob may enjoy these when he is a little older; characters are well-drawn and the story is engaging.

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson. An epic fantasy series I think we will all enjoy in a few years. A little scarier than the Narnia books.

Redwall by Brian Jacques. Another action-packed story Jacob may enjoy soon. I don't think Annie would be as interested but she might surprise me. This is the first book in a long series.

Reading List 2018

It is an eclectic list. And yes, I included the chapter books I read aloud to the kiddos. :) I have some hefty tomes and some lighter-weight reads on my list for next year . . . we will see what I accomplish!

Reading List 2018
1. Precious and Grace, Alexander McCall Smith
2. The Ghosts of Cougar Island, Peggy Parish
3. The House of Unexpected Sisters, Alexander McCall Smith
4. The Wanderings of Odysseus, Rosemary Sutcliff
5. Ramona the Brave, Beverly Cleary
6. The Children’s Own Longfellow, Henry Longfellow
7. The Homeschool Experiment, Charity Hawkins
8. Prince Caspian, C.S. Lewis
9. Ride a Purple Pelican, Jack Prelutsky
10. Before You Wake, Erick Erickson
11. Liturgy of the Ordinary, Tish Harrison Warren
12. Dispatches from Pluto, Richard Grant
13. Death Comes as Epiphany, Sharan Newman
14. Loving Luther, Allison Pittman
15. Smart Money Smart Kids, Dave Ramsey and Rachel Cruze
16. Misty of Chincoteague, Marguerite Henry
17. The Devil’s Door, Sharan Newman
18. Book of Greek Myths, D’Aulaire
19. The Wandering Arm, Sharan Newman
20. Tell Me About Heaven, Randy Alcorn
21. Aristotle, Brian Williams
22. Leading Little Ones to God, Marian Schoolland
23. Stories from the Amazon, Saviour Pirotta
24. Wives and Daughters, Elizabeth Gaskell
25. For the Glory, Duncan Hamilton
26. Sisters First, Jenna Hager and Barbara Bush
27. The Masterpiece, Francine Rivers
28. Strong as Death, Sharan Newman
29. Katharina and Martin Luther, Michelle DeRusha
30. Unseen, Sara Hagerty
31. First Human Body Encyclopedia, DK
32. Educating the Wholehearted Child, Clay and Sally Clarkson
33. In the Eyes of the Cat, Demi
34. The Railway Children, E. Nesbit
35. Cleopatra, Dianne Stanley
36. The Difficult Saint, Sharan Newman
37. Culture Care, Makoto Fujimura
38. The World of Little House, Carolyn Collins and Christina Eriksson
39. The Complete Book of Bible Stories, Jesse Hurlbut
40. To Wear the White Cloak, Sharan Newman
41. Love in a Time of Hate, Hanna Schott
42. Who Was Julius Caesar, Nico Medina
43. Cursed in the Blood, Sharan Newman
44. The Parables of Jesus, Tomie dePaola
45. Always Wondering, Aileen Fisher
46. Heresy, Sharan Newman
47. Dominic, William Steig
48. The Outcast Dove, Sharan Newman
49. The Witch in the Well, Sharan Newman
50. The Lenten Tree, Dean Lambert
51. The Read-Aloud Family, Sarah Mackenzie
52. Tell Me the Secrets, Max Lucado
53. All She Left Behind, Jane Kirkpatrick
54. The Most They Ever Had, Rick Bragg
55. 50 Women Every Christian Should Know, Michelle deRusha
56. The Nightingale, Kristin Hannah
57. Total Money Makeover, Dave Ramsey
58. Under Our Skin, Benjamin Watson
59. Ramona and Her Father, Beverly Cleary
60. The Expulsive Power of a New Affection, Thomas Chalmers
61. The Austen Escape, Katherine Reay
62. The Reason for God, Timothy Keller
63. Hello Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, Betty MacDonald
64. Home, Marilynne Robinson
65. Oxford Illustrated Book of American Children’s Poems, Donald Hall
66. Aeneas, Emily Frenkel
67. The Art of the Common Place, Wendell Berry
68. Irish Fairy Tales, Philip Smith
69. Caddie Woodlawn, Carol Ryrie Brink
70. The Big Picture Story Bible, David Helm
71. The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, JRR Tolkien
72. The Best Cook in the World, Rick Bragg
73. Earth Psalms, Francine Rivers
74. Abel’s Island, William Steig
75. Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, Nabeel Qureshi
76. Waverly, Sir Walter Scott
77. The Wind in the Willows, Kenneth Grahame
78. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, CS Lewis
79. Destiny and Power, Jon Meacham
80. Mrs. Piggle Wiggle’s Magic, Betty MacDonald
81. The Book of Strange New Things, Michel Faber
82. Ramona and Her Mother, Beverly Cleary
83. Seabird, Holling C. Holling
84. A Time of Gifts, Patrick Leigh Fermor
85. My Fellow Soldiers, Andrew Carroll
86. The Book of Dragons, E. Nesbit
87. Ramona Quimby, Age 8, Beverly Cleary
88. Bonhoeffer, Eric Metaxas
89. Knock at a Star, XI Kennedy
90. Death Before Compline, Sharan Newman
91. My Father’s Dragon, Ruth Stiles Gannett
92. Hero of the Empire, Candice Millard
93. The Book of Cowboys, Holling C. Holling
94. The Day the World Came to Town, Jim Defede
95. Cranford, Elizabeth Gaskell
96. Teaching from Rest, Sarah Mackenzie
97. The Reluctant Dragon, Kenneth Grahame
98. When the Dark Comes Dancing, Nancy Larrick
99. Joy, Abigail Santamaria
100. Mary Barton, Elizabeth Gaskell
101. Meals from Mars, Ben Sciacca
102. The Gospel, Ray Ortlund
103. A Lion to Guard Us, Clyde Robert Bulla
104. Parenting, Paul David Tripp
105. First Science Encyclopedia, DK Publishing
106. The Green Curtain and Other Stories, Eudora Welty
107. Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle’s Farm, Betty MacDonald
108. Ramona Forever, Beverly Cleary
109. Twelve Things I Want My Kids to Remember Forever, Jerry Jenkins
110. Ramona’s World, Beverly Cleary
111. Raising a Modern Day Knight, Robert Lewis
112. Parenting Isn’t for Cowards, James Dobson
113. The Simplest Way to Change the World, Dustin Willis and Brandon Clements
114. God and the Transgender Debate, Andrew Walker
115. A Crazy, Holy Grace, Frederick Buechner
116. The Silver Chair, C.S. Lewis
117. A Wind in the House of Islam, David Garrison
118. Medieval Tales, Mary Osborne Pope
119. Cultural Literacy, E.D. Hirsch
120. Happy Birthday, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, Betty MacDonald
121. The Adventures of Robin Hood, John Burrows
122. The Temple and the Tabernacle, J. Daniel Hays
123. Henry Huggins, Beverly Cleary
124. Refresh, Shona and David Murray
125. Church of the Small Things, Melanie Shankle
126. Prince of Tides, Pat Conroy
127. Short Stories, Flannery O’Connor
128. A Child’s Garden of Verses, Robert Louis Stevenson
129. The Disciplines of the Christian Life, Eric Liddell
130. The Tech-Wise Family, Andy Crouch
131. Little House in the Ozarks, Laura Ingalls Wilder
132. The Secret Garden, Frances Hodges Burnett
133. Norse Gods and Giants, D’Aulaire
134. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Barbara Robinson
135. Hailstones and Halibut Bones, Mary O’Neill
136. New Morning Mercies, Paul David Tripp
137. Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus, Nancy Guthrie
138. The Advent Jesse Tree, Dean Lambert Smith
139. The Medieval World, Kingfisher
140. Cozy, Minimalist Home, Myquillyn Smith
141. Emma, Alexander McCall Smith
142. Nancy Clancy: Star of Stage and Screen, Jane O’Connor
143. The Penderwicks, Jeanne Birdsall
144. The Good Pilot Peter Woodhouse, Alexander McCall Smith
145. The Sunday Philosophy Club, Alexander McCall Smith
146. On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, Andrew Peterson
147. Henry and Beezus, Beverly Cleary
148. The Green Ember, S.D. Smith
149. Homebody, Joanna Gaines

Mama's Recent Reads

The Austen Escape, Katherine Reay Because sometimes you need a sweet story with nothing objectionable in it.

Home, Marilynne Robinson And sometimes you need thoughtful fiction.

The Day the World Came to Town, Jim Defede When bad things happen, look for the people helping. On 9/11, U.S. airspace was closed and all planes were ordered to land. A small town of 10,000 in Newfoundland, Canada took in 7,000 passengers and cared for them for days.

Teaching from Rest, Sarah Mackenzie I re-read this book every year before I start teaching. "If God expected you to get thirty-six hours' worth of work done in a day, He would have given you thirty-six hours to do it. If you have more to do than time to do it in, the simple fact is this: Some of what you are doing isn't on His agenda for you."

Parenting, Paul David Tripp. The best book on parenting I've ever read.

God and the Transgender Debate, Andrew Walker. Thoughtful, compassionate, Biblical, and grace-filled.

A Crazy, Holy Grace, Frederich Buechner. Buechner's reminders of the ever-present grace of God even in hard times: a blessing.

Elementary Ancient Literature List

In honor of the back to school phase of life we're finding ourselves in, here's my list of ancient literature for elementary grades. We did ancient history and literature last year and we read A LOT of books. These were our favorites. Be prepared that sometimes the myths and battle stories get a bit strange or gruesome--I occasionally edit as I read aloud. ;)

1. Complete Book of Bible Stories, Jesse Hurlbut (Judaism and Christianity - long)
2. Gilgamesh the King, Ludmila Zeman (Mesopotamia)
3. The Revenge of Ishtar, Ludmila Zeman (Mesopotamia)
4. The Last Quest of Gilgamesh, Ludmila Zeman (Mesopotamia)
5. The Trojan War, Emily Little (Greece)
6. The Flying Horse, Jane Mason (Greece)
7. Book of Greek Myths, D’Aulaire (Greece - long)
8. Once a Mouse, Marcia Brown (India)
9. One Grain of Rice, Demi (India)
10. The Elephant’s Friend, Maria Williams (India)
11. Black Ships Before Troy, Rosemary Sutcliff (Greece - long)
12. Rhinos for Lunch and Elephants for Supper, Tolowa Mollel (Africa)
13. The Adventures of Spider, Joyce Cooper Arkhurst (Africa)
14. Tutankhamen’s Gift, Robert Sabuda (Egypt)
15. Exodus, Brian Wildsmith (Egypt and Judaism)
16. The Wanderings of Odysseus, Rosemary Sutcliff (Greece - long)
17. The Legend of the Persian Carpet, Tomie dePaola (Persia)
18. Forty Fortunes, Aaron Shepherd (Persia)
19. The Hero and the Minotaur, Robert Byrd (Crete)
20. King Midas and the Golden Touch, Charlotte Craft (Crete)
21. Roman Myths, Geraldine McCaughrean (Rome - long)
22. The Lost Horse, Ed Young (China)
23. The Dragon Prince, Laurence Yep (China)
24. Lord of the Cranes, Kerstin Chen (China)
25. Da Wei’s Treasure, Margaret and Raymond Chang (China)
26. Dragon Kites and Dragonflies, Demi (China)
27. In the Eyes of the Cat, Demi (Japan)
28. Miracles of Jesus, Tomie dePaola (Christianity)
29. Parables of Jesus, Tomie dePaola (Christianity)
30. Aeneas, Emily Frenkel (Rome – long)