What We Read and Our Homeschool Read Alouds ll January 2024

 

The Lost Prince by Francis Hodgson Burnett 

By the same author of Secret Garden and the Little Princess, The Lost Prince follows the story of Marco and "the Rat", two young boys, as they travel through Europe delivering the secret message, "The Lamp is Lighted."  From village to village and messanger to messanger, they travel on mission to liberate Samavia.  But can two little boys stay safe when an entire country is at war?  I was pre-reading this one for my middle schooler.  This one has been recommended on the Ambleside Online booklist and I was curious, knowing the author's resume.  I'm happy to say it was a sweet story (predictable at times) that supported a hero worth looking up to.  I love clean books like one that uplift honorable protagonists for our young boys.  I passed it on to my 12 year old as soon as I was done reading it, but it would be suitable for any readers 8 years and up.

Counting the Cost by Jill Duggar Dillard

For anyone that watched Counting On, Jill Duggar was known as the sweet obedient fourth child.  She was the big buddy to several younger siblings, and seemed to live an idealic life.  But as Jill grew up and eventually married Derrick, she began to question the form of religion she grew up with.  Should women always be in dresses?  Would "closing her womb" really mean turning her back on God's plans for her life?  How could she honor her parents and still follow what she honor God?  What if the two were in conflict?  This was an incredible read for a look deeper into the Bill Gothard cult and those who are seeking to untangle from it.

The Deconstruction of Christianity

by Alisa Childers and Tim Barnett

see my full review here

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Set between London and Paris during The French Revolution, A Tale of Two Cities follows young Frenchman Charles Darnay.  As the novel unfolds readers get wrapped into the chaos of secrets, vengence, and abuse of power.  I originally assigned this one to my 10th grader as part of her World History course and decided to read it along with her.  For about the first 100 pages, it was a struggle.  The names and places were unfamiliar and it was a discipline to get through it.  But once the main characters were established, the book picked up.  This book is tragic, dark, .... moving... emotional... Dickens brings the issues of the Revolution to life, but also explores themes like vengenance, mob mentality, sacrifice, and redemption, among many others.

All of a Kind Family by Sydney Taylor

Five young Jewish sisters live life in New York's Lower East Side during the beginning of the 20th century.  This quick read has so much to love... the sisters support and encourage each other, sibling relationships are celebrated, and the family shares their Jewish heritage in a relatable way.  This is a great book for the 6-10 year old crowd.

These Happy Golden Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder

The First Four Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder

We FINISHED!  We finished the Little House series.  Starting with Little House in the Big Woods in June 2023, sprinkling in a few books for our history curriculum, and we finished with the last two books seven months later... it's like saying good-bye to an old friend.  Read this series with your kids.  I remember starting through it the first time when my kids were  5 and 3 years old, and we've read it numerous times since then.  So well worth your time.  

What are you reading?