Freckles

Mom's Notes: I love Freckles. Once you know him, you can't help but love him. This beautiful, exciting, heart-wrenching story stands the test of time. G.S. Porter often writes her characters melodramatically, but that makes them even more exciting to root for, or boo at. Her stories are carriers for the flora and fauna, but I appreciate it all. I think the kids will always remember the nature-loving, goodness-defending, hardworking, honorable, devoted-friend and lover Freckles. 

His Indian Brother

Mom's Notes: This was a great story to read near Thanksgiving time. Another wilderness survival tale to add to our list this year! A little context of the location in the Maine woods was a bonus for us. It was inspiring to read and think about how a white boy from Boston and a Penobscot Indian boy can learn to live together, and even grow so close as to call one another "brother." 

My Side of the Mountain

Mom's Notes: The very idea of living alone in the woods is the stuff of dreams for young boys especially, so this book was a fantastic summer read for the buddies and me. The details about living off the land, written in journal format, were so very interesting. Sam's eventual return home was realistic and timely. 

The Last Battle

Mom's Notes: We finished the Narnia series for the second time as a family! The Last Battle was especially powerful this time, with the kids being older and more aware. I love this line about Puzzle the Donkey's shame, then hope through redemption. "The Lion bowed down his head and whispered something to puzzle at which his long ears went down, but then he said something else at which his ears perked up again." 

This beautiful illustrated book was a fun addition to our reading. Sometimes we listened to the audio book, but followed along with the amazing original illustrations by Pauline Baynes. (We read a lovely and interesting picture book about her as well.) 

 

Return to Gone Away Lake

Mom's Notes: Whenever these kids hear there's a sequel, they are all about it. This one was fun because it prompted some "Antiques Road Show" viewing. The kids even filmed their own episodes with old-ish stuff around our house. We went down other rabbit holes as well, including reading Pandora's Box and other Greek myths. 

The Silver Chair

 

Gone Away Lake

Mom's Notes: This is a re-read for our family, but a first for the buddies. Summertime often has me thinking about this book that I read as a kid. The characters are relatable and the setting charming, yet adventurous. Reading it out on the deck and in Evy's new clubhouse was just right. 
 

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. 

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

 Mom's Notes: It's always so inspiring to follow Eustace's transformation. Because of the scene with Aslan helping him remove the dragon scales, this is a favorite book of mine in the series. 

Prince Caspian

Mom's Notes: Continuing on in Narnia! It's been fun to watch the movies after the books. The kids watch them often, but I don't. They are so well done. I wish they had continued! 

The Horse and His Boy

Mom's Notes: We listened to much of this less-familiar story as drove from Christchurch to Queenstown. A stop at the Elephant Rocks was wonderfully apropos, as it's a movie set scene from the first Narnia film. 

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Mom's Notes: We just learned that this year is the 75th Anniversary Celebration of the Chronicles of Narnia! We're thrilled to be reading them anyway, but it feels extra special now. These stamps were issued in honor of C.S. Lewis's timeless series. 

We finished listening to this classic story as we drove along the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand. We had just visited Cathedral Cove, beautiful in its own right, but also an iconic movie scene location from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. 

The Mythmakers

Mom's Notes: This book is complementing our reading of the Hobbit, our viewing of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and our second run as a family through The Chronicles of Narnia. Add in our upcoming trip to New Zealand, and it's quite the study! These picture books were also beautiful and insightful. We are learning so much about these two great dreamers/authors/friends. John Hendrix dives deep - it's not a light read. The graphic novel style lightens it though, and gives way to whimsy that fits the subject.