Category Archives: Book Reviews

From birth to age twelve or so our kids are sheltered, protected, kept free from the evil of the world.  Then suddenly society decides kids from thirteen on up should be inundated with evil . . . ‘cuz it’s normal, … Continue reading →

Super Blake and the Cavity Monster by Tracy Bickhaus deserves props for both entertaining and educating kids simultaneously.  Given the title I expected the book to be about tooth care and good hygiene, which it is, but I didn’t expect the fresh and refreshing … Continue reading →

: We’re happy to be giving away a brand new book, The Co-Walkers, Awakening, by a brand new author, Hermine Steinberg.  Here’s what she has to say about the book: I began writing The Co-Walkers, Awakening as a short story for … Continue reading →

We almost always have a read-aloud book going.  At the moment we’re working our way through the Harry Potter series.  My oldest two have already read it for themselves but they still can’t wait for each night gathered in the … Continue reading →

If you haven’t stumbled across the Ranger’s Apprentice series by John Flanagan yet, you should make it a priority.  They’re absolutely fantastic.  Young Will, an orphan, surprisingly becomes apprenticed to a Ranger, one of a select group of spy/advisors to the king.  Will isn’t … Continue reading →

I recently read The Core: Teaching Your Child The Foundations of Classical Education by Leigh A. Bortins.  Wow.  This is a book I will read over and over again.  I found myself inspired to be a better educator and a … Continue reading →

I enjoy reading Stephen Hawking on all things astronomy.  He is brilliant, but knows how to bring it down to my level, which is sub-astrophysicist.  I found, The Illustrated On the Shoulders of Giants by Stephen Hawking at my library and … Continue reading →

We did a lot of reading over the summer…some of the books were great and some, well, not so great I guess.  Here are a few we really enjoyed that I recommend as great read-alouds:               Bookmark on Delicious Digg … Continue reading →

I’ve read most of Susan Wise Bauer’s books, and tend to agree with her teaching philosophies and methods.  As with her others, I really enjoyed this book.  She begins by discussing the lost art of reading.  She describes how exercise … Continue reading →

I thought a review  of 1776 by David McCullough would be perfect for this week in light of Independence Day coming up.  McCullough tells the riveting true story of King George III deciding to crush the rebellion in the colonies, … Continue reading →

We stumbled on a book from the library this week that completely floored me.  It is the absolute most fascinating children’s book I have ever come across.  It’s called The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg.  Each page of the … Continue reading →

I stumbled upon a brand new series of books at the library this past week called the You Choose series.  We’re studying the Great Depression at our house and checked out a book called The Dust Bowl: An Interactive History … Continue reading →

We’ve been studying the Depression and the desperate times Americans faced during that period.  As part of our unit we’ve been reading this book together, Children of the Dust Bowl by Jerry Stanley.  It is nothing short of truly fascinating. … Continue reading →

You’ve heard of Roald Dahl, the author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach.  He wrote a less well known book called Going Solo. It’s an autobiography of his early 20′s and is an incredible … Continue reading →

I just finished reading this Magic Tree House book to my little ones. There is a whole series of these books, many of which have a permanent home on my bookshelf. Mary Pope Osborne tells the story of Jack and … Continue reading →

Carry On, Mr. Bowditch is a children’s novel by Jean Latham. It is one of my all time favorites and takes place in Colonial America. It’s based on a real person, Nathaniel Bowditch, and his life story, taking the reader … Continue reading →

How To Talk So Kids Can Learn is a follow-up book to How To Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk. Both are written by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish. Both books go over the very … Continue reading →