A Christmas Carol

What scene do you think caused Scrooge to see how badly he needed to make changes in his life?

Evy (7): "When he saw his gravestone!"

Gabe (10): "Present and future, because he sees that Tiny Tim will die."

Julia (12): "When he sees Tiny Tim's crutches." 

Mom's Notes: It was about time we read aloud this holiday classic. I bought an audio version and we listened to it throughout the month, finishing it on our drive home from Grandma's house on the very Eve of Christmas. We all now feel a little closer to the story and we even have Scrooge's repentant and resolute quote on our card this year: 

Peter and the Pilgrims

Mom's Notes: This book was just right for our unit read. Some of the historical figures we were learning about came to life in Peter's fictional story. 

Viking Quest Books 1 & 2

Mom's Notes: So far we have read the first two books in the series, and we're taking a break to read some Christmas stories. But we'll definitely be back! While the literary merit isn't anything extraordinary, the storylines and suspense elements keep us interested and invested. Following the various characters' journeys toward forgiveness and understanding makes for thought-provoking discussion. And the way the siblings care for each other is refreshing and beautiful. We look forward the Book Three! 

My Father's Dragon

If you were setting out on an adventure like Elmer was, what would you pack in your backpack?

Daniel (5): "I would pack rubber bands, a comb-brush, a rope, and my car toy from Valentine's Day." 

Michael (5): "I would bring some fruits and some vegetables and some lollipops and sandwiches."

Mom's Notes: This was the first time for the buddies listening to this one. Of course they giggled throughout! I'll go ahead and ask the same question I asked the other kids after reading this favorite.

The Last Battle

Mom's Notes: Jonny finished reading this aloud to us on my 35th birthday. I had just been showered with hand-made gifts, a delicious pumpkin spice cake by Julia, presents from Jonny covering all five senses, and a refrigerator door decorated in cards and love. To finish the day with the final book in the beloved Narnia series was perfection. 

Daughter of the Mountains

Momo was incredibly brave! What do you believe kept her going even when faced with dangers and fear? 

Evy (7): "She knew the prophecy and she really wanted her golden terrier back, since she had been waiting a few years to get it." 

Gabe (10): "She had faith in her gods and she believed on the prophecy. She was desperate to get her dog."

Julia (12): "Her mom brought her up to believe in her faith in the gods. She was certain she would find her dog because of her faith in the prophecy."

Mom's Notes: This book complimented our sturdy of ancient Asia. While it's not set in ancient times, the customs and religions and regions were very prevalent to our study. I'm so glad we get to read these books suggested by the curriculum, because I doubt we would've picked this up otherwise. And we learned so much through Momo's daring journey! 

The Magician's Nephew

What object from our world would you plant in Narnia so it would magically sprout there? 

Julia (12): "Money. Because then I would prove to everyone that money can grow on trees. And I would be rich." 

Gabe (10): "Probably money, so I could be rich and buy a ton of hoverboards. Then I'd plant the hoverboards there! (So I'd really only have to buy one hoverboard...)" 

Evy (7): "Strawberry ice cream." 

The Horse and His Boy

Which scene from this story stands out most vividly in your mind?

Evy (7): "The parts with Aslan!"

Gabe (10): "The scene when the king and two other guys making plans to attack Narnia and the Aravis is hiding behind the couch."

Julia (12): "When the lion is next to Shasta as himself and it's dark and Shasta can't see him but can feel him." 

Mom's Notes: We're back in Narnia! It's been several years since our last reading in the series. This story was a brilliant one to get us going again. Many Sunday evenings this summer were spent out in the backyard with Shasta, Bree, Aravis, and the others. We were all happy to meet up again with the Pevensies and learn of their Narnia reign. The interactions with Aslan were beautiful and powerful. On to adventures with Diggory and Polly! 

Tales from Deckawoo Drive

Which book was your favorite? Why?

Michael (4): "I liked Leroy Ninker, because all the pictures were boy stuff."

Daniel (4): "I liked the raccoon one, because I like the raccoon."

Mom's Notes: The buddies were SO excited when I pulled the Leroy Ninker book off the shelf downstairs. We zipped through it, and they begged for the rest. (They saw the cover pictures on the back.) We weren't disappointed in these rather deep, but approachable tales of Mercy's friends. It was a joy getting to know the side characters better. My favorite is Baby Lincoln's story. I caught Julia and Gabe reading most of these in a single sitting. We also purchased the picture book A Piglet Names Mercy, to complete our collection. These books have been and will continue to be revisited often.

Mercy Watson

Which Mercy Watson book is your favorite? Why? 

Michael (4): "I like the Halloween one. Because chapter four is the best! Mercy was trying to catch the cat."

Daniel (4): "I like the movie one. Mercy ate all the sodas and popcorn!"

We read the majority of these books out on the hammock this summer. The buddies think Mercy is hilarious and are always excited to finish a book and move on to the next. They've really taken ownership of this series! They are often making trains of the books, bringing them along on campouts and trips, and flipping through the pages and retelling the stories the best they can remember.

The Greatest Star on Earth

Who is our favorite character in this circus series? Why?

Evy (7): "Ella the Elephant. Because she's an elephant. And she's so cute!"

Gabe (10): "The Flying Banana Brothers are super funny acrobats. They always think they know the directions: up, down, this way, that way!"

Julia (12): "I like the mice because they are funny."

Daniel (5): : "The lion, because he has a mane."

Michael (5): "The elephant, because she's in the circus."

Where the Red Fern Grows (Audio)

Mom's Notes: Jonny suggested we listen to this favorite during our drive to California. I'm so glad. The reader is perfect for this story with his accent that sounds straight out of the Ozarks. Almost every time he does the grandpa's voice I laugh out loud! But of course, even without a brilliant voice behind the words, this story stands as a gem all on its own. We definitely cried our way through it just like the first time. And we love it even more than we did then. 

The American Twins of the Revolution

The Priestly family found a very creative way to hide the gold so they could get it to the Continental Army safely. Where would you hide it? 

Julia (11): "I would hide it how the Mom suggested while joking with a soldier. I'd make braids and hide the gold inside my braids."

Gabe (9): "My mouth! Well...maybe not."

Evy (6): "In my shirt."

Mom's Notes: We weren't finding a lot of time for this read-aloud after our history lessons, and I almost gave up on it and figured we were reading enough anecdotes from the unit. But we had an impromptu read-a-thon one snowy March morning, and grabbed this book to read a few chapters. We ended up reading for hours! The story picked up and we just had to finish it. (It helped a lot that the buddies were playing at Couisn Ross's house for the morning. The house was quiet and cozy.)  We did take a break for lunch, for which we tried to make cornbread muffins inspired from the book, but ended up missing ingredients and made blueberry scones instead. These unit-themed books add so much to our understanding of history. It is just so fascinating to see what we're learning be applied to a story and characters. This is learning at its finest! Well, a field trip to Philadelphia to top off the unit would be education at its very finest...

The Show Must Go On!

Given the chance, would you apply to run Sir Sidney's circus? 

Evy (6): "No, I don't like messing with lions." 

Gabe (9): "Maybe, maybe not. I mean, it would be fun but I need a different career. I wouldn't get much money by it. Plus, then I couldn't be a professional soccer player... or be in the NBA." 

Julia (11): "Yes. Who wouldn't want to be with a talking elephant and lion?!" 

Are you surprised Sir Sydney gave Barnabas a second chance?

Evy (6): "Of course! I thought all the stuff he done to the animals was, like, really mean. But Sir Sidney gave him another chance to see what it really feels like to be good to other people." 

Gabe (9): "Nope, he's a nice guy. And he thought he could help him."

Julia (11): "No, because Sir Sidney has a good heart." 

Mom's Notes: The big kids have read this series independently, but they begged that we read it aloud. This adorable and hilarious book was just right after a heavier read. We giggled throughout, and the kids appreciated when I inserted some music from The Greatest Showman. ;) We all cheered for Barnabas Brambles's change of heart, and Sir Sidney's grace. We'll definitely pick up the other five books here and there throughout the next year. Can't wait! 

The Tale of Despereaux

Why do you think the author refers to darkness and light so much in this story? 

Julia (11): "Because that's the ways of the world." 

Gabe (9): "So people can read about real life and what it's like. It's not like all of your life it's just light everywhere." 

Evy (6): "I don't like being in the dark. In the light I can see and play and it's really beautiful." 

A lot of characters change for the better in this book. Which example of this stands out most to you? Why is his/her story inspirational? 

Julia (11): "Despereaux's dad realized what he did wrong and he asked for forgiveness. It's an example of repentance."

Gabe (9): "Despereaux used to be really scared, now he is really brave. It might help people to be brave and might motivate them to change and do something hard."

Evy (6): "Despereaux had to go in the darkness again, and he was really brave. And the rat learned how to be a real friend to someone." 

Mom's Notes: I read and treasured this book years ago on my own, and wondered when the time would be right to share it with my kids. It's a sort of fable about bravery, sacrifice, love, and light. So naturally, it's also about pride, selfishness, evil, and darkness. With castles and chivalry fresh on our minds during our Middle Ages history unit, I figured it was a good opportunity. After the first few chapters, though, I wondered if this little story might be too heavy. (Yes, I had read it before. But reading aloud to children is a different experience.) I know that DiCamillo does have a gentle way of touching difficult subjects, so I trusted that and kept on. I did soften some of it just a bit, for six-year-old Evy (and the twins who listened here and there). I'm so glad we carried on, because this truly is a beautiful story with plenty of symbolism to spark deep and meaningful conversations. 

Did I cry at the closing chapter? Yes, Reader, I did. Was I the only one with tears in my eyes? No, Reader, I wasn't.