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. 

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Everyone thought this would be the worst pageant, but they were wrong! What do you think made it the best?

Evy (6): "The Herdmans been good in the Christmas pageant. They were good acting and they weren't being mean."

Gabe (9): "It was really nice of them to give away their ham. It symbolized what the Wisemen gave." 

Julia (11): "Imogene Herdman felt the spirit there."

While we read this book, did you learn or realize anything new about The Nativity Story? 

Evy: "I thought the wiseman traveled in one night, but they actually traveled for, like, a week... or a month? And then Baby Jesus was like two years old." 

Gabe: "No, I was just listening to the story." 

Julia: "No, not really."

Mom's Notes: Julia read this for her neighborhood book club and insisted we read it together. We laughed and learned and came out with a better understanding of the Christmas story, and human nature in general. We'll definitely revisit this story at future Christmastimes. 

The Door in the Wall

What do you think it means when the author says Robin "found his door in the wall"? 

Evy (6): "He found something fun to do and he can work and do stuff."

Gabe (9): "Even though he had a hard time he did what was right." 

Julia (11): "It means he found his way through his hardships." 

Mom's Notes: These unit-themed read-alouds really do enrich our history study, and in such a natural and effortless way. Besides references to what we're learning in our The Good and The Beautiful lessons, it was interesting and fun to hear the dialect of 14th century England. We laughed aloud sometimes and went about quoting things like, "Are we near, think you?"  and joked that we'll say that on our next road trip instead of "Are we there yet?" Robin showed true perseverance and courage, with a lot of thanks to the monks and others who were so dedicated to helping him. It was sweet to read this story at Christmastime, as Robin is reunited with his family in time for Christmas Eve. 

The Golden Goblet

What is an example of Ranofer's bravery that sticks out to you most? 

Julia (11): "He had to stick up to his cruel half-brother.”

Gabe (9): He went in to the tomb where there were dead bodies and it was creepy."

Evy (6): "He went out at night and there was a scary cat. He thought maybe it was a goblin. But he was brave and didn't just run home."

Mom's Notes: This book was recommended reading to go with our history unit on Ancient Egypt. Even though the book was definitely slow going for a while, the ties to what we were learning in our history lessons kept the content relevant and interesting. Plus, these kids just seem to beg for another chapter no matter what the book! Ranofer's story was definitely one to sympathize with, and we were rooting for his many daydreams to come true. When the queen says she'll grant his any wish, and he asks for a donkey, I may have choked up a bit!

The Children of Noisy Village

How is "Noisy Village" different from where we live? What would you like about living in a small town? What would you not like about it? 

Evy (6): "It's so noisy - with only six kids! If I lived there, I would like spending my time outside." 

Gabe (9): "It only has three houses. It has less kids. The thing I'd like about living there is going to Grandpa's because he's funny. What I wouldn't like is that there would be no Jack."

Julia (11): "It's not that big, it's in Sweden. And I think it's a bit back in time. It sounds like they are in the country. I would like taking the long walks from school and home, and having a windows next to your best friend's house would be really cool. But I wouldn't like having to walk almost everywhere. That would be tiring!"

Mom's Notes: Julia suggested this sweet little book for the first read aloud of our homeschool year. It was just the thing for reading out on the grass, on the new swings, and by flashlight while camping. (The very last chapter, which I read as the kids dozed off one by one in their sleeping bags, was very appropriately about a camping trip!) Does a part of me wish we lived in such a time and town? Yes, yes, yes. But we live now, and I believe we can create a more simple life in this complicated world if we decide to! And we can keep our washing machines too. ;)