The Time Garden

Carry On, Mr. Bowditch

 

Mom's Notes: This was one I wanted to read before our New England trip, but we didn't have time after Johnny Tremain. It worked out even better to read Nat Bowditch's story after being in Boston, stepping in to Harvard, and exploring three different ships on our New England trip. (Now I just really want to go back at see his statue in Mount Auburn Cemetery!) It was especially appropriate to go along with our study of the brand new United States after the war, as well as our study of the solar eclipse. (Even Leap Year came up in the book, during our reading on the very 29th of February! We had just learned the hows and why of Leap Year, so we were in the know about why the charts were wrong in the year 1800,  a skipped Leap Year for the century date.) Nat's story is repeatedly heartbreaking, but that makes his resilience and passion to write his book on navigation all the more inspiring. He was always learning, always curious, always wanting to understand things. It would be incredible to look through his stacks of notebooks. Though the sea tales and jargon were a little long-winded at times, I'm so glad we read this book and are now familiar Nathaniel Bowditch's incredible story, as well as his contribution to the mathematical world of navigation. 

Banner in the Sky

 

Rudi decided to save Saxo instead of climbing to the top of the Citadel. Why do you think he did that?

Evy (11): "Because it was more important to him. Between saving someone's life and reaching the top. If he did reach the top, he would always think that he didn't save Saxo. He would feel bad." :

Daniel (9): 

Michael (9): 

Mom's Notes: While Evy was playing "Library" one Sunday, Jonny "checked out" this book from off her shelves. That inspired a reread! Evy was a toddler when he read it to Julia and Gabe. It was so fun to snuggle up in our bedroom in the evenings and hear Jonny read this aloud to Evy and the buddies. They were all heavily invested in the story, brought it up often, and always begged him to read more. I'll go ahead and recycle the question I asked Julia and Gabe back in 2015. They were 8 and 6 years old! 

The Wheel on the School

Mom's Notes: I decided we really should re-read a favorite book at least once a year. I've been wanting to go back to Shora since we closed this book three years ago! I was especially prompted to read it after spending time with the Brinkers in Holland. We loved getting reacquainted with Lina, Janus, the boys, the storks, and so many others. We extended the story by learning about storks and being fascinated all over again. One winter morning we drank hot chocolate and played dominoes, like they do during the days and days of stormy weather. We let our own wondering lead our learning (in place of a science/history unit), sucking on lifesavers to get the juices flowing. (No "wineballs" to be found!) This is the ideal, and I do hope and pray that wondering is creating life-long learners out of us all. 

Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates

 

Mom's Notes: This has been on my "To Read" list for years. It seemed a fun, seasonal story. And I always love to trip to the Netherlands. It did end up being just the thing for December, and we learned more about Saint Nickolas Day as we read and researched. Hans and Greta's dedication to one another, their work ethic, and their hope for their father all made for a beautiful story. I didn't realize this story was so steeped in Dutch history. We learned quite a bit as the boys were on their great skating trip! If we ever make it over to Holland (and I truly hope we do), we'll have to revisit this story and pay closer attention to the historical details. 

Homer Price

Mom's Notes: This book was just plain fun! After visitng the bronze ducklings in Boston and an island off the coast of Maine, we were all about reading more Roberty McCloskey. I felt a kind of kinship as his beautiful artwork came even more alive when rereading our favorite picture books. This chapter book had a very Lentil feel, as it's also set in Ohio. It is more silly than most of his books as well, which was just right after our more serious history study. We had fun extending this story by designing and advertising  our own "time-saving devices" and looking for diamonds in donuts. We're glad we know Homes Price! 

What was your favorite tale from Centerburg, OH? 

Evy (11): "Probably the donut one. It was funny, with the bracelet and all." 

Daniel (9):

Michael (9): 

 

Gifts from the Sea

Mom's Notes: We read the first few chapters of this beautiful story in the quaint coastal house at Pine Point, Maine. I brought it along on our trip, in anticipation if lighthouses and rocky shorelines. Then we brought those images home with us and finished reading Quila's story of loss and unexpected love. Evy loves this book, and all we have read by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock.