Amos Fortune, Free Man

Mom's Notes: We're learning about slavery in America. It's not an easy topic, but it is an important one. Books like this one help to show to perseverance of the human spirit, even in the direst of circumstances. We've also been inspired by narratives of slaves on the Underground Railroad, specifically stories or Harriet Tubman's remarkable life of selfless service and sacrifice. I myself have read her narrative biography, as well as that of Sojourner Truth. Jonny and I both read, discussed, and now appreciate and cherish Uncle Tom's Cabin. 

Ink on His Fingers

Mom's Notes: This story complimented our short study about the reformation and the Bible. While we didn't feel the story flowed as well as another we've read by Vernon, we did learn more about the time period, the nature of apprenticeships, and the great challenge it was to bring us the printed Bible. 

A Night Divided

Mom's Notes: Julia's friend Brenna gave her this book for Christmas. Julia read it quickly, then almost immediately began reading it aloud to her siblings. I joined in on the listening a few chapters in, and by then we were all hooked. We definitely all have a better understanding for what it might have been like to live in a divided Germany. 

It's so fascinating to read about life on the prairie. What modern convenience are you most grateful for? 

Michael (7): "Electricity and bigger space in the house."

Daniel (7): "Lights, cars, TV, electricity."

Evy (9): "Not toilets... but cars and showers and electricity. And modern phones." 

Gabe (12): "Air conditioning." 

Julia (14): "Showers and my phone." 

Mom's Notes: The first episode of the TV series is basically this entire book. So it was fun to watch it along the way as we read! I'm amazed at the courage, ingenuity, hard work, and resourcefulness of the early settlers. Their lives were full of adventure and danger, but also so much peace and stillness. Living more simply and intentionally resonates deeply with me. 

Little House in the Big Woods

Mom's Notes: We've been watching the Little House on the Prairie TV show for the past few years. I figure it's high time we pay homage to the source of the family and town we've grown to love! We have read this one together, but it was several years ago. I figured we'd start over in the Big Woods and make our way through the series over the next few years, reading two or three books a year. I'm actually really looking forward to reading Farmer Boy, as I've heard from many trusted sources that it's a favorite. I am amazed at how Laura Ingalls Wilder, decades later, describes the ins and outs of life in the woods in lovely and just enough detail for children. What a simple, challenging, dangerous, beautiful, fulfilling way of life knew. 

Mom's Notes: We read this to compliment our study of Ancient Rome. As usual, it was the highlight! We not only learned to play "Knuckle Bones," but were able to gain great insight into the culture and time period. (This was especially interesting as we are watching The Chosen series.) We drew lots of parallels to other books we've read dealing with the injustice of enslavement. (Slave Boy in Judea, The Viking Quest books. Soon we'll study the Civil War.) It was interesting to pull out maps, google terms, and relate scriptures to the story. 

Mom's Notes: This has been on my "To Read" list for years. We did it! It's a true adventure story, and we were shocked at the dirty deeds of the pirates and impressed by the bravery of Jim. Learning a little history of Stevenson's life and inspiration for the book was especially interesting, as was looking up some pirate phrases and slang. It wasn't until the last few chapters that I thought to print out a labeled diagram of a ship - that would've been extremely useful to study before reading! A list of pirate vocabulary and translation was fun and helpful too.