My Side of the Mountain

The Last Battle

 

The Silver Chair

 

Gone Away Lake

Mom's Notes: 
 

Because of Winn Dixie

Mom's Notes: I realized the buddies had never read this sweet, sad, beautiful summertime story. So we read it in a few sitting out on the deck couch. This was my first introduction to Kate DiCamillo many years ago. I'll always love this story for its treatment of the everyday in a divine light. 

 

Heidi

Mom's Notes: Julia will soon be headed off to Switzerland for a senior trip with Ensign Academy! I've been meaning to read this aloud for years, and this was just the right opportunity. Of course I wish we were all tagging along! But at least we can picture the green mountains and wildflowers through Johanna Spyri's thoughtful and thorough descriptions. There's so much more to this story than the Shirley Temple movie that we're most familiar with. I'm glad we can treasure it now. 

Centerburg Tales

Mom's Notes: This was so fun to listen to on drives with the buddies! We think the reader is perfect and really brings the stories to life with just the right style. Daniel and Michael shared many chapters with Jonny when he drove them to choir rehearsal. Grandpa Herc has us reminiscing about Grandpa Strever and his wild (and true!) tales.