What We Read and Our Homeschool Read Alouds ll March 2024

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

A true classic to be sure.  Corrie Ten Boom shares the story of how she, her elderly father, and sister turned their home in Holland into a refuge for Jews during the Nazi invasion.  Without meaning to, they become a hub for stowaways, eventully being found out and sent to a concentration camp themselves.  Ten Boom shares the horrors that she saw and entured, tragedies which eventually take the lives of her father and sister.  Through a strange turn of events, she is released days before her own death is scheduled.  From the time of her release until her death, Corrie Ten Boom traveled the world sharing her story and a story of true foregiveness and healing.

Animal Farm by George Orwell

This short, quick read is written as an allegory reflecting on the events leading up to the Russian Revolution of 1917.  It tells the story of a group of animals which rebel against their farmer.  As the rebellion grows, the pigs lead the charge and eventually run the farm.  Conditions turn from bad to worse, and eventually the animals come to realize that they're being ruled by the pigs.  But it's too late.  Animal Farm has so many real life applications, both for the past and the present.  We added this one to my high schooler's World History couse and it brought up numerous meaty conversations.

Letters of Wisdom by Wanda E. Brunstetter

See My Full Review Here

Christian Heroes Then and Now: Amy Carmichael

by Janet and Geoff Benge

We love this series, but I have to admit that Amy Carmichael's biography really wasn't one of my favorites.  She comes off as self-centered in the beginning.  Some of that disapates with age and maturity, but I found myself struggling to become invested in her story. Once the children started coming into her life, Amy's story drastically changed for the better.  But my thoughts had been set by that point and I just didn't find her to be as inspiring and worthy of a biography as many of the others in this series.  This one was ok, but if you have limited resources, I'd invest in the Corrie Ten Boom or Elizabeth Elliot book.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

by E.L. Konisburg

When Claudia decides to run away from home, she realizes she needs an accomplice.  She invites her brother Jamie along, both for the company and for his wallet.  The two set off to the city and hide in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  They fall into a pattern of blending in with the crowd during the day, and finding a good place to sleep at night.  Until an mysterious statue arrives.  Claudia and Jamie find themselves chasing down a series of clues to discover the sculpture's identity.  Which leads them to Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.  In the end, she ends up being the true mystery and the treasure that the kids uncover.

Around the World in 80 Days

by Jules Verne

Funny enough, my kids tell me that we've already read this one, but I didn't remember it so we read it again.  Mom privilege.  This book follows the journey of Phileas Fogg, who after beating a sizeable wager, must complete a trip around the world in eighty days or less.  An easy feat in today's world, but not so easy in 1873.  To further complicate the voyage, a London detective, Mr. Fix, believes that Phileas is a bank robber and endeavors to keep him on English soil until a warrant can be obtained for his arrest.  Verne does a wonderful job of creating lively characters and describing the constanting changing scenery in this book.  It took me a bit of time to get used to reading this one out loud as the vocabulary is quite challenging, but once we got our rhythm, we really enjoyed it.  Just a fun read all around.

The Burgess Animal Book for Children

by Thornton W. Burgess

So technically we've been reading this book since late last fall as part of our morning basket, but we just finished it last week.  I'm really loving Burgess' writing.  I've learned to much about birds, and the seashore, and in the last title, a wonderful world of animals.  Burgess does a wonderful job of weaving story with facts.  This would make a great companion to any animal/nature study and we look forward to reading more in the future.

What are you adding to your reading list?