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If you want great historical fiction for younger children, The Matchlock Gun, which won the 1942 Newbery Medal, by Walter D. Edmonds, who also wrote the classic novel Drums Along the Mohawk, is it. Set in 1757, when New York was still a British colony during the French and Indian War, it tells the true story of ten-year-old Edward Van Alstyne, who lives with his father Teunis, mother Gertrude, and little sister Trudy, outside of Albany in upper New York. Read more...
While on vacation recently, I read all the books that I took with me, so I went out and purchased four children's books that I have been longing to read for a good while, including this one. Two of the presents that Omri received for his birthday were a small plastic Indian from his friend Patrick and an old medicine cupboard that his brother Gillon had found in the alley. Read more...
Nobody Owens is a lucky boy. Though a man known as "Jack" tragically murdered his family, he alone survived the attack. Being just a wee 18 mos old at the time, he wandered off into the night and into the graveyard. There he found a home, and some new guardians. They may be dead ones, but when the fleeting image of his slain mother pleads for his life, the dead couple Mr. and Mrs. Owens vow to take good care of the toddler they named Nobody (Bod for short). Read more...
As the founder of Improve-Education.org, Mr.Deitrick Price has dedicated himself to researching the failures of the public school system in America. In this book he includes 50 short essays that attempt to explain why it is that education in the USA remains ineffective, despite massive spending. The author recently posted an article on ezinearticles.com called "Homeschooling Parents Should Find Comfort in New Book". Read more...
Can mice solve mysteries? Sir Basil of Baker Street is the greatest mouse detective and lives in the cellar of Sherlock Holmes's house. When the twins, Angela and Agatha, go missing, it is up to Basil to find them. But where are they? Why have they disappeared? And can Basil save them in time? Find out in Basil of Baker Street. Note: This series of books is the basis for the Disney movie The Great Mouse Detective; unfortunately, the book is apparently out of print, but used copies are available at Amazon. Read more...
Calen, a mage's apprentice makes fast friends with the spunky princess Meg, one of the daughters of the King of Trelian. She considers her new friend immediately trustworthy, and shares a brilliant secret with him. The two share adventures and dangers. This story about kingdoms and castles, mages and princess, secrets and friendships will entertain you with its fairy tale like feel. First off, because the story co-stars a mage's apprentice, there is the practice of magic, including divination. Read more...
The only other book by Paulsen that I have read is Dogsong. I found it so revolting and disgusting that I resolved never to read any other books by this author. However, Hatchet, which like Dogsong was a Newbery Honor Book, has been recommended by several others, so when I saw it recently at a used curriculum sale, I picked it up. Read more...
In this quaint storybook about Amish children and their adventures, we meet siblings Solomon and Sara and their extended family and friends. With 12 stories, there is plenty of good reading here (256 pages) for your younger children. Each little story includes a scripture verse and imparts a helping of wisdom, such as praying before giving advice, sharing with others, and not being lazy. Read more...
13-year-old Matt is left to guard their new homestead when his father heads back to bring Matt's mom and sister. He fairs up rather well, till he decides to find himself some fresh honey and he's stung by a hoard of bees. An Indian man and his grandson come to his aid and befriend him. The Grandfather arranges for Matt to give his grandson, Attean English lessons. Matt does the best he can but mostly reads to him from Robinson Crusoe. Read more...
What would you have done if you dwelt on the Connecticut frontier in 1740-1745 when the French and Indians were attacking settlements? Young Ian M'Kethe, who lives with his mother, younger sister, baby brother, and grandfather, hopes to avoid war and go to Yale, but his older cousin Roland wants to join the militia and fight. Unfortunately, Roland has such bad eyesight that he can hardly see to shoot, while Ian is a great shot. Read more...
Smoking is a stinky, bad habit. I grew up in a home where both parents smoked; I disliked it then, but had to live with it. Eventually, my mom stopped smoking (yay!) but my dad died from complications that undoubtedly were linked to his smoking. So, I am a huge advocate for using literature and other tools to teach my children to live smoke-free. No Thanks, But I'd Love to Dance! Is a 25-page book that teaches the consequences of smoking in a unique way. Read more...
Set in 1874, this book tells how eleven-year-old Sam and his ten-year-old brother Billy move with their father and mother from Kentucky, where their grandfather's farm had been ravaged during the Civil War, to the southern Dakota Territory, where they experience a plague of hungry grasshoppers. Read more...
Because my daughter is due to have her first baby in the next four weeks I have been re-immersed in the world of a mom-to-be. Wondering what it will be feel like and the fear of the birthing process fill nearly every conversation. So when the opportunity was offered for me to review a book of birthing stories I did so with my daughters needs in mind. The book, a collection of sixty stories written by real moms, is very much like reality TV. Read more...
Skulduggery Pleasant is a walking, talking, fire throwing skeleton detective who takes up the case of saving the world from the Faceless Ones, dark gods banished by the ancients a very long time ago. The story starts after Baron Vengeous, a deadly supporter of the Faceless Ones, breaks out of a high security prison and sets after key items to bring life to the Grotesquery, a terrible beast housing parts of all sorts of nasty things, who can summon back the Faceless Ones to end the world as we know it. Read more...
Katie is a 9-year-old who moves to a new home, a big old house out in the country. Shortly after her arrival she thinks she hears a girl laughing. Then, mysterious gifts such as a hair bow and a dreidel show up on her dresser. Katie soon finds out the mystery gifts, just in time for her birthday, are from a ghost-girl named Kimble. Kimble, the friendly ghost, becomes fast friends with Katie. Kimble does more nice things for Katie, and Katie loves her new friend. Read more...
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