Banner in the Sky

 

Rudi decided to save Saxo instead of climbing to the top of the Citadel. Why do you think he did that?

Evy (11): "Because it was more important to him. Between saving someone's life and reaching the top. If he did reach the top, he would always think that he didn't save Saxo. He would feel bad." :

Daniel (9): "Because he didn't want to leave him behind and people would be sad if he died." 

Michael (9): "Because people matter more than challenges."

Mom's Notes: While Evy was playing "Library" one Sunday, Jonny "checked out" this book from off her shelves. That inspired a reread! Evy was a toddler when he read it to Julia and Gabe. It was so fun to snuggle up in our bedroom in the evenings and hear Jonny read this aloud to Evy and the buddies. They were all heavily invested in the story, brought it up often, and always begged him to read more. I'll go ahead and recycle the question I asked Julia and Gabe back in 2015. They were 8 and 6 years old! 

The Wheel on the School

Mom's Notes: I decided we really should re-read a favorite book at least once a year. I've been wanting to go back to Shora since we closed this book three years ago! I was especially prompted to read it after spending time with the Brinkers in Holland. We loved getting reacquainted with Lina, Janus, the boys, the storks, and so many others. We extended the story by learning about storks and being fascinated all over again. One winter morning we drank hot chocolate and played dominoes, like they do during the days and days of stormy weather. We let our own wondering lead our learning (in place of a science/history unit), sucking on lifesavers to get the juices flowing. (No "wineballs" to be found!) This is the ideal, and I do hope and pray that wondering is creating life-long learners out of us all. 

Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates

 

Mom's Notes: This has been on my "To Read" list for years. It seemed a fun, seasonal story. And I always love to trip to the Netherlands. It did end up being just the thing for December, and we learned more about Saint Nickolas Day as we read and researched. Hans and Greta's dedication to one another, their work ethic, and their hope for their father all made for a beautiful story. I didn't realize this story was so steeped in Dutch history. We learned quite a bit as the boys were on their great skating trip! If we ever make it over to Holland (and I truly hope we do), we'll have to revisit this story and pay closer attention to the historical details. 

Homer Price

Mom's Notes: This book was just plain fun! After visitng the bronze ducklings in Boston and an island off the coast of Maine, we were all about reading more Roberty McCloskey. I felt a kind of kinship as his beautiful artwork came even more alive when rereading our favorite picture books. This chapter book had a very Lentil feel, as it's also set in Ohio. It is more silly than most of his books as well, which was just right after our more serious history study. We had fun extending this story by designing and advertising  our own "time-saving devices" and looking for diamonds in donuts. We're glad to know Homer Price! 

What was your favorite tale from Centerburg, OH? 

Evy (11): "Probably the donut one. It was funny, with the bracelet and all." 

Daniel (9): "I think the donut one. It was so funny that they made all those donuts."

Michael (9): "The donuts! Because the lady lost her ring in the dough."

 

Gifts from the Sea

Mom's Notes: We read the first few chapters of this beautiful story in the quaint coastal house at Pine Point, Maine. I brought it along on our trip, in anticipation of lighthouses and rocky shorelines. Then we brought those images home with us and finished reading Quila's story of loss and unexpected love. Evy especially loves this book, as well as all those we have read by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock. 

Johnny Tremain

 

Mom's Notes: This was exactly the right thing to read before our trip to Boston! Esther Forbes masterfully weaves the early events of the revolution into a gripping story with realistic characters. I pulled the map out a whole lot as we read, looking forward to visiting those very streets. We got to know Paul Revere, Sam Adams, and John Hancock better than any documentary could've done. Reading about the unfair taxes, the Tea Party, the Battle at Lexington and Concord, and other key events from Jonny's viewpoint really helped the history to come alive for us. The story became the backbone of our study, and many lessons and activities and discussions were derived from the chapters. Then, to be in Boston! It was kind of surreal for me. I'm truly so grateful that we get to read, study, travel, and repeat! It adds such a depth to our wonder and learning. 

Little Pilgrim's Progress

Mom's Notes: I have never read John Bunyan's original story, though I've heard of it over and over throughout my life. Most recently we have been reading about how Louisa May Alcott and her sisters would act out Christian's journey, as do their literary counterparts in Little Women. So we picked this up! The book was beautifully illustrated and the story gently told. I'd like to read the original for myself because I think some things are lost in the translation to a children's book. It also seemed quite repetitive, I'm not sure we needed to read Christiana's tale. Anyway, it was an insightful Sunday afternoon read for a few months. The most memorable and meaningful part for me is Christian laying down his burden at the Cross. The names of the characters also give us much to ponder.