What I Read and Our Homeschool Read Alouds ll March 2025

 What I Read:

The Familiar Stranger by Tyler Staton

See my full review here.

Out of a Far Country

by Christopher Yuan and Angela Yuan

This book has been on my to-read list for a while.  The son of Chinese immigrants, Christopher Yuan got good grades, listened to his parents, and dutifully took piano lessons.  He seems like the model son... until he wasn't.  After coming out to his parents in his early 20s, Chris distanced himself from his family.  His mother Angela found herself in a dark place, ready to end her own life.  Eventually, she learned to relinquish control and place her son in God's hands.  Chris' life takes a different turn... dropping out of college, dealing drugs, and eventually being arrested.  There were points in this autobiography that were really challenging to read, times when Christopher Yuan described the drug scene that he was involved in.  But overall, Out of a Far Country is a beautiful story of family and redemption.  So glad I finally got my hands on a copy.

The Green Kingdom by Cornelia Funke

See my full review here.

Should Christians Support Israel? by Jeff Myers, Ph.D.

Following the October 7th 2023 attack, Dr. Jeff Myers travels to Israel in search of a better understanding of a very complex situation.  Through firsthand accounts and historical background, Myers brings light to the Israel-Palestine conflict.  More than just a land dispute, this book discusses the worldview through which people groups see the world and their ultimate drive in this conflict.  Whether you ultimately agree with Myers or not, this book is full of historical and philosophical information, helping to better frame the Middle East conflict.  I learned so much by reading this book.  It's a great place to start in understanding the complex times we live in.

Our Homeschool Read Alouds:

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend

Morrigan Crow is one of the cursed children.  Everything she does causes heartache for those around her.  Even when she's trying to stay out of trouble, she finds herself accidentally cursing someone.  Luckily for her district, being a cursed child, she's doomed to die at midnight on her 11th birthday.  That is until a mysterious benefactor whisks her away to Nevermoor and makes her his apprentice.  Here, she finds that she's not really cursed after all.  In fact, she's praised for her amazing gifts and talents.  Still, there's something her mentor isn't telling her and it leaves Morrigan wondering if there isn't some dark magic in her after all.  This was a fun fantasy fiction that my 13-year-old and I both enjoyed.  There are some dark moments, specifically when Morrigan must go through the fright trial for her apprenticeship.  She finds herself in a cemetery being chased by witches and spirits.  This was definitely the hardest part of the book to read.  Although it's marketed to a younger audience, I would probably wait till about 12 or 13 years before reading this one with my kids.

Farewell to Manzanar by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston

& James D. Houston

A firsthand account of the Japanese Internment Camps established during World War II, Farewell to Manzanar follows one family's story as they fight for community, heritage, and being recognized as Americans.  Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston recounts leaving her Long Beach fishing community and arriving at Manzanar, a primitive camp set up in the high desert country of California.  There she struggles between her Japanese heritage and an emerging American identity. We read this book as part of our World War II study.  It's a good book, but there is some indication of men looking at girls inappropriately so I would recommend reading this one with your children to clarify with discussion.

Christian Heroes: Charles Mulli

by Janet and Geoff Benge

Still reading those Christian Heroes books.  This one was especially interesting as we read that Charles Mulli rose up from his rough childhood to becoming a successful businessman and eventually reaching out to street kids in his community.  This is one of my favorites that I've read in the series.

Children of the Storm by Natasha Vins

Another autobiography this month... Natasha Vins' father was a Baptist pastor in the Soviet Union during the 1970's.  This is their family's story of house raids, going underground, imprisonment, and exile... all for pursuing their faith.  Very good.

What are you reading?

The Green Kingdom {Review}

 

When twelve-year-old Caspia's father takes a job in Brooklyn for the summer, she's sure that life is over.  Whatever could she possibly find to do in the city away from friends for 10 weeks? Far away from her home in Maine, Caspia resigns herself to making do until school starts again.  But then one day she finds a bundle of letters with "green" riddles, riddles designed to lead her to a new plant.  As she begins to unravel each mystery, Caspia discovers there are numerous friends to be made and adventures to be had right in the middle of the city.  

This book was a fun read, proving that sometimes friendships pop up in unexpected places.  There were several things that I liked about this book:

*Caspia does turn her attitude around and draws closer to her parents.

*There's a lot to be learned about the plants highlighted in this book.

*Caspia's friends prove to be a positive influence in her life.

Still, there were a few notes for parents to be aware of:

*There is a budding romance between Caspia and a boy.

*There is mention of same-sex attraction involving one of her friends.

*Talk of witches and spirits

*Caspia's parents tell her that it's sometimes ok to keep secrets from them.

While none of these notes are about major plotlines, some of them may be larger issues for families and should be approached with open conversation.

All in all, I did think there were more positives than negatives in this book, and families could easily enjoy it as a read-aloud or a fun addition to a plant study.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

The Familiar Stranger {Review}

 

Many Christians are comfortable with God the Father.  They find Jesus to be highly approachable.  But what about the Holy Spirit?  We read about Him in the New Testament, but He seems too wild and unpredictable.  Here one minute and gone the next.  Jesus calls Him our Helper, Comforter... an indwelling presence to transform our lives.  He's such a complex part of the Godhead; we struggle to wrap our minds around Him. In The Familiar Stranger, author Tyler Staton reintroduces us to the Holy Spirit, uncovering Him all throughout Scripture.  Focusing on Biblical imagery and metaphors, learning about the Holy Spirit's discernment, and understanding how Word and Spirit work together in drawing people to repentance, Staton presents a beautiful picture of this oft-ignored member of the Trinity.  The Familiar Stranger will challenge and encourage readers to approach the Holy Spirit with boldness and experience his life-changing power.

When I first heard about The Familiar Stranger, I knew right away that I wanted to read this one.  Having been a Christian most of my life, the Holy Spirit still feels so elusive. Staton does a great job uncovering this third part of the Trinity as He appears all throughout the Bible.  With a balance of solid theology and personal testimony, this book is outstanding in making the Holy Spirit personal in both grace and power.  This is the best book I've read on this topic and look forward to delving back in for a deeper understanding.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Spring Reading List ll 2025

 Non-Fiction:

Should Christians Support Israel? by Jeff Myers

Culture of Honor by Danny Silk

More Than a Carpenter

by Josh McDowell and Sean McDowell

Out of a Far Country

by Christopher Yuan and Angela Yuan

Fiction:

The Green Kingdom by Cornelia Funke

The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

Read Alouds:

Children of the Storm by Natasha Vins

Born Behind Bars by Padma Venkatraman

Bruchko by Bruce Olson

What Are You Reading?

Keeping Christ at the Center of Easter

  *This post was originally published on 3/7/16.  Enjoy!

 

We love Easter.  It's a wonderful time to be with family, emerge from the doldrums of winter, and celebrate the resurrection.  And as our kids are growing, it's a joyful time to share with them why we celebrate Easter.  Below are a few things we done to point the kids back to Christ at Easter, and a few new ideas we'd like to try in the future.  It doesn't take much to open a conversation and watch our kids embrace the miracle of the holiday.

*Make Do-a-Dot Crosses
*Make Crayon Crosses
*Fill Easter Baskets with Bibles, devotionals, and prayer journals
*Read and discuss the Easter story
*Create tissue paper mosaic crosses
*Paint "Where is Jesus?" watercolor art
*Bake Resurrection Rolls
*Follow Resurrection Eggs
*Bake Resurrection Cookies
*Make pretzels and learn about their origin
*Collect items for charity
*Study Passion of the Christ artwork
*Wash your children's feet as an act of service
*Read the Crucifixion story
*Attend a sunrise service
*Listen to Handel's Messiah
*Prepare a special celebratory meal
*Make Bird's Nest cookies
*Study the origin of Easter eggs
*Plant an Easter garden
*Memorize ABC scripture cards
*Re-enact Palm Sunday with construction paper palms
*Write Easter messages in the driveway with chalk
*Color white carnations and discuss how Jesus took on our sins
*Plant a resurrection garden
*Paint a fingerprint cross (coming soon)
*Complete a lent word search
*Dip Chocolate covered pretzel crosses

How do you point your kids to Christ at Easter?

Weekend Links ll March 14, 2025

 

12 Things To Do For Homeschool Spring Nature Study

25 Hymns Our Kids Should Know

50 Book and Movie Combos

Spring Lapbook

Butterfly Unit Study

This Week: 

What I'm Cooking:

My crockpot has been getting a workout this week.  With a busy schedule and rainy weather, I've been cooking up lots of soups and stews.  My favorite this week was my chicken noodle.  I throw everything in early in the morning and by dinner, it's all melded together and happy.  And no one minds if I add a little extra garlic.  Pair that with some homemade rolls and dinner is served.

What I'm Reading:

I'm currently reading The Familiar Stranger.  It's about the Holy Spirit and His role in the church community.  So far, it's very practical without being overly spiritualized.  I'm not finished yet, but I really am enjoying it.  Keep your eyes open for a review soon.

What I'm Doing:

This week we had a homeschool field trip to the Symphony.  It's been a couple of years since we've gone, but we all remembered why we enjoy that one so much.  This particular presentation was about the story of Babar, and the conductor did an amazing job of keeping it interesting.

 

What I'm Enjoying:

Rainy afternoons...

Symphony field trips...

Our church's Ezekiel Bible Study...

Oversized hoodies...

Planning for next school year...

What are you up to?

Three Free or Inexpensive Art Resources for Homeschool

*This post was originally published on 2/8/23.  Enjoy!

(click on post for video)

 Art is one of those lessons that makes homeschool special and can really spark your child's interest. However, after purchasing all the core subjects, it can be really hard to find room in the budget. So how do you teach art inexpensively?

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑21yrs led to 👱17 yrs, 👧15 yrs, and 👱 11 yrs. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Art for Kids Hub: https://www.youtube.com/@UC5XMF3Inoi8R9nSI8ChOsdQ Chalk Pastel: https://chalkpastel.com Under the Home: https://underthehome.org 2022 Homeschool Resolutions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qenYIb0ecI 1000 Hours Outside in 2022: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gat0hSyCBLc Our 2023 Read Aloud List: http://creative2xmom.blogspot.com/2023/01/our-2023-read-aloud-list.html Our Homeschool Word of the Year ll 2021-22: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEAaKqVbBSE&t=327s My Mom Morning Basket ll Fall '21: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSj8i94S6ik&t=5s How to Make a Charlotte Mason Book of Centuries: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oN9mcel_Xwg How I'm Preparing to Homeschool High School: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbTzj_AKmg4 Top 10 Homeschool Resolutions for the New Year ll 2020: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RZ5nbYLo1c&t=657s Ten Homeschool Resolutions for 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTGqapJV1Y4 Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com C O N N E C T subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/creative2xmom read at http://www.creative2xmom.blogspot.com like me on http://www.facebook.com/creative2xmom follow me on https://www.instagram.com/creative2xmom/ https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/52903?ref=nav_mybooks Music Attribution: Life of Riley by Kevin MacLeod FTC Disclosure: This video is not sponsored. *This video is not intended for audiences under 13 years.

What is Gameschooling?

*This post was originally published on 11/29/23.  Enjoy!

 If you've been in the homeschooling world for any amount of time, you've probably heard the term gameschooling.  But what is gameschooling?  Is it a new tech program?  A new virtual online school?  What exactly is the hype all about? Well, that's what we're going to be talking about today.  What is Gameschooling?  And how can I incorporate it into my own homeschool?

Gameschooling is all about using games for teaching concepts.  Everything from Math to Language Arts, History to Science... even Art History and Music.  Combining academic subjects with hands on fun to bring learning to life... and throwing in a few laughs as well.  And gameschooling incorporates some of those social skills that are so necessary as well: taking turns, strategy, working with a partner, being a gracious loser, problem solving, and more!

Gameschooling can be used as a primary source of teaching information (such as nature topics) or as a supplement to what you're learning in your book work.  And playing games is highly disarming.  When I find that we're running into a mental roadblock, I'll often look for a game that will address the same concept to help my children learn it in a fun way.  Playing a game puts my children at ease and allows them to better grasp the concepts that I'm trying to teach.

Gameschooling is also a wonderful way to bring the family together.  While some subject areas are better taught at grade level (math in particular), others can be taught or reviewed in a group.  Gameschooling is a great way of leveling the playing field and having everyone learn together.  It's also a wonderful way of inviting other family members into your homeschool.  Grandma doesn't have to feel comfortable with Algebra, but may be more than happy to play a math game with the kids.

Furthermore, you can find a game on nearly any subject.  Logic, geography, history, and language arts, just to name a few.  Over the years, we've used both traditional games and some of the more "educational" games to incorporate gameschooling into our home.  Additionally, Teachers Pay Teachers is a wonderful site for finding grade-level printables and holiday-specific learning challenges such as Mad Libs, crosswords, word searches, escape rooms, and more.

Gameschooling has become an integral part of our homeschool over the years, allowing us to learn new ideas from a comfortable, fun angle without feeling the pressure of checking off all the boxes.  It's a wonderful way to create memories in your family while addressing academics and embracing your family culture.

Have you tried gameschooling?

What are some of your favorites?

What I Read and Our Homeschool Read Alouds ll February 2025

 

The LifeWe're Looking For by Andy Crouch

I first heard about Andy Crouch because of his Tech-Wise Family book.  I'm always trying to get my hands on fact-based information about technology and its effects on relationships.  But in looking at this author, I realized this book actually came first and so I thought this would be a good place to start.  Crouch really takes this to the spiritual side of things, pointing out how we're made in God's image, and how technology keeps us from really "seeing" that image.  It tends to dehumanize us as a society, and therefore, we are dishonoring God in our relationships.  Thus, we miss the humanness in others, living our world feeling very lonely and isolated.  I liked it, it was an interesting take on the topic (certainly not an angle I've considered before), but at times it felt like Crouch was really reaching.  Some of his examples and support felt like they were beyond the bounds of logical reasoning.  It was hard to follow his logic at times and left my mind afloat in certain chapters.  Interesting take, but not nearly as informative and engaging as Jonathan Haidt's Anxious Generation.

A Separate Peace by John Knowles

Our Story of the World curriculum suggests this title for grades 8+.  Since I'd never read it, I thought I'd tackle it myself before passing it off to my 13-year-old. Boy, am I glad I did.  A Separate Peace follows the story of 2 elite prep school roommates at the beginning of WWII.  Through a series of events, one of the boys becomes injured in such a way that he may never walk again.  His roommate does everything he can to help.  But his own involvement in the events leaves him feeling both guilty and jealous.  It's a story of intense rivalry, coming of age, and looming war.  There's a lot of language and tension in this novel that just left me feeling hopeless.  There was no redemption to the story, just a group of boys who were hopelessly lost in their despair.  I can't understand why this one is a classic and doesn't see myself assigning it in our homeschool.

Snow White and the Dragon by Kim Bussing

See my full review here.

Senior Year Step-by-Step by Lee Binz

I can't believe I'm going to have a senior... again!  If you're new to these coffee break books, they're amazing!  Lee Binz condenses down the most important points you need to know in guiding your high schoolers toward graduation and future success.  Just over 100+ pages, I learned so much from this book to start implementing the summer before Senior Year.

For the Children's Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay

I've read this title before, but some of our family is considering homeschooling.  I wanted to reread it before recommending it as a starting place.  I love the way the author makes Charlotte Mason's ideas come alive.  She really inspired me to explore this philosophy 5 years years ago, and I found myself reinspired this second reading as well.  Macaulay does a great job bringing all of this back to the humanity of our children.  We do so much of what we do because they are people and need to know how to interact with the world.  I loved this book just as much the second time as my original reading.

One Wrong Step by Jennifer A. Nielson

See my full review here.

Our Homeschool Read Alouds:

The Endless Steppe by Esther Hautzig

This title coincides with our Story of the World vol 4 curriculum.  Ester and her family are sent to Siberia during WWII for being "capitalists."  While there, they must survive the scorching summers and brutal winters as war marches on in Germany and Europe.  I actually like this one better than Anne Frank's Diary.  They both have their place as Anne's work is autobiographical.  However, Ester's story allows the reader to see a different view from the concentration camps which have been so widely written about.  I would highly recommend this title for anyone studying WWII in the 6-9th grades.

Christian Heroes: Betty Greene by Janet and Geoff Benge

As I've shared before, we're working our way through several Christian Heroes books in the middle school years.  This is one we read in February.  I had never heard of Betty Greene before and after this reading, I'm so glad she's included. This book brought together several historical figures that we've read about in the past and I could really see Greene's influence on the missionary movement of the mid-late 1900's.  A lesser-known figure who made a HUGE impact.

What are you reading?

One Wrong Step {Review}

When 12-year-old Atlas loses his mother, climbing becomes his outlet... and eventually, his obsession.  He and his father begin traveling the world, climbing one mountain after another, in an attempt to leave the pain behind.  So when the chance to summit Mt Everest arises, they both jump at the opportunity.  When Atlas's father and the team push on, Atlas and his friend, Maddie, wait at base camp, only to watch as the team is buried in an avalanche.  Now men's only hope is to be rescued by these two teens before they run out of time.  But Atlas and Maddie might not be the only ones on the mountain.  With WWII looming in Europe, the Nazis are anxious to summit Everest as well.  When strange things start to happen on the mountain, Atlas and Maddie are left to wonder who will reach their fathers first?

Author Jennifer A. Nielsen is back with a new piece of historical fiction.  One Wrong Step is an action-packed novel that will keep you turning the pages.  Loosely based on historical events, this story about loss, family, and overcoming is incredibly well-written.  I felt myself struggling with Atlas and pulling for him throughout the entire book.  And when the teens were in trouble on Mt. Everest, I think I probably audibly gasped.  One Wrong Step is very well done.  Although marketed as middle-grade fiction, this book would be easily enjoyed by a variety of ages, and the historical setting and details give it added interest.  Very well done and highly recommended.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

What's in Our Morning Basket? ll Middle School and High School

 *This post was originally published on 2/15/23.  Enjoy!

(Click on post for video)

Sharing what we are adding to our morning basket this semester with a 6th and 9th grader!

I pray that this one blesses and inspires you! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑21yrs led to 👱17 yrs, 👧15 yrs, and 👱 11 yrs. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2023 Homeschool Resolutions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtKXP_qeMhw&t=8s 2022 Homeschool Resolutions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qenYIb0ecI 1000 Hours Outside in 2022: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gat0hSyCBLc Our 2023 Read Aloud List: http://creative2xmom.blogspot.com/2023/01/our-2023-read-aloud-list.html Our Homeschool Word of the Year ll 2021-22: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEAaKqVbBSE&t=327s My Mom Morning Basket ll Fall '21: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSj8i94S6ik&t=5s How to Make a Charlotte Mason Book of Centuries: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oN9mcel_Xwg How I'm Preparing to Homeschool High School: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbTzj_AKmg4 Top 10 Homeschool Resolutions for the New Year ll 2020: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RZ5nbYLo1c&t=657s Ten Homeschool Resolutions for 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTGqapJV1Y4 Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com Need prayer? Leave a comment or contact me at: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com C O N N E C T subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/creative2xmom read at http://www.creative2xmom.blogspot.com like me on http://www.facebook.com/creative2xmom follow me on https://www.instagram.com/creative2xmom/ https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/52903?ref=nav_mybooks Music Attribution: Life of Riley by Kevin MacLeod FTC Disclosure: This video is not sponsored. *This video is not intended for audiences under 13 years.

Snow White and the Dragon (or, Sleeping Beauty and the Seven Dwarfs) {Review}

 

In a land of mixed-up fairy tales, one never knows what will happen.  Maybe Snow White will fall through a magic mirror and join a band of huntsman.  Maybe Sleeping Beauty will find herself eating a poison apple... or searching for a cure to a sleeping spell.  Maybe these two princesses will find their lives intertwined as they work to defeat an evil stepmother and restore the crown.  Through all the twists and turns, Snow and Rose learn they can only reach their happily ever after if they work together.  Or the dragon threatens to defeat them both.

This is the second book in the Princess Swaps series, and it's just as good as the first.  Author Kim Bussing has a way of bringing out small details in these princess stories and making the reader ask, "What if?"  The twists in this story were unexpected and fun to follow.  And although the series is only loosely based on their originals, I find them to be a breath of fresh air.  The only thing that threw me off was that the main characters are 13 years old, which feels a little young.  But overall, I love this series, and this one is definitely a hit.  Highly recommend.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

Weekend Links ll February 14, 2025

 

Awesomesauce Valentines

Valentine's Day Word Scramble Printables

Character Development in Our Homeschool

Valentine's Day Charcuterie Board

Heartfelt DIY Valentine's Ideas

Top Five Reading Resources ll Homeschooling on a Budget

*This post was originally published on 2/20/19.  Enjoy!

(Click Post for Video)

Teaching your child to read can be really intimidating... especially if you're on a budget.  Join me in today's video where I share how we taught three preschoolers how to read spending very little money.

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑17yrs led to 👱13 yrs, 👧11 yrs, and 👱 7 yrs.

Our Homeschool Flashcards:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLA3TD_nfZo

Mommy & Mia Homeschool Chronicles: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmcrZSa0FOG6FH5BUv8QNDg

Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/redirect?v=b9sOjfVOLY4&event=video_description&q=http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F2mz4uQ5&redir_token=1wQqyHOQAsQAO9wJGe_UdK4jwLR8MTU1MDg5OTg1M0AxNTUwODEzNDUz

Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com

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What We Read and Our Homeschool Read Alouds ll January 2025

 

Confronting the Thief by Jane Hamon

The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy.  So what power does God's people have against him?  What can we do when it feels like we're in the most hopeless of situations?  Hamon takes her readers through some of life's most daunting circumstances: loss of health, finances, and loved ones.  And then using Biblical tactics, teaches us to pray and confront the thief for what he's stolen.  Hamon speaks directly to the Lord's promises and how to make our requests known strategically to reclaim what's ours.  We read this one as a part of a small group.  I did enjoy it; however, I felt like Hamon tried to extend her metaphors sometimes beyond the breaking point.  Her points are valid, but this book was a lot to absorb all at once.  And I do think it's best utilized in a group setting.

Up from Slavery by Booker T. Washington

This book was assigned as part of my daughter's American History curriculum and since I'd never read it, I chose to read it with her.  Washington shares a brief biographical history of his life and work in bringing African Americans "out of slavery" and into a thriving society.  I loved reading this one in his own words and it gave me incredible insight into life at the time.

Christian Heroes: Paul Brand by Janet and Geoff Benge

We love this series.  These Christian Heroes biographies are so well written and it was enjoyable to meet a medical missionary in this edition.  Plus as an added bonus, Paul Brand was living into the 2000's so it made him even more relatable for my 8th grader.  This is an incredible series that we've been enjoying in my son's junior high years, but I would really recommend it to anyone.

The Secret of Honeycake by Kimberly Newton Fusco

See my full review here.

What Katy Did by Susan Coolidge

This is a sweet story of Miss Katy Carr, the oldest of the six Carr children.  Like all young girls, she has big life plans and every good intention for leading her younger siblings.  But when an accident leaves her bedridden, Katy has to muster all the courage and patience she has.  This book falls along the same lines as Five Little Peppers and Understood Betsy.  A sweet, sweet story for the 11-year-old and under crowd.

Safe Harbor by Padma Venkatraman

See my full review here.

Our Homeschool Read Alouds:

A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus

I have quite a few WWII books on our list this year, but I'm really glad I started with this one.  Three orphans from London escape with a group of refugees to the countryside.  Their mission: to hide from Hitler's bombs.  Their real mission: find a family.  This book would be a great way to introduce the WWII topic to the middle-grades crowd.  It's gentle, focusing on both the historical background as well as the children's search for home.  Nothing about this story is too heavy, but it also doesn't ignore the fear that England was living under.  Glad we included it in this year's selections.

Escape to Lichtenstein by Ed Dunlop

Another WWII... this time a young Jewish boy is running from the Nazis, trying to escape to freedom.  Along the way, he meets a brother and sister who set out to help him.  Although a short read, this one packs a punch and does include several scenes of being chased and shot at.  Although the language is for a younger audience, a couple of instances of death make this one tricky to place.  But I did appreciate that the characters focus on putting their faith and trust in the Lord to protect and guide them.  A lesser-known title that's worth exploring.

What are you reading?

Safe Harbor {Review}

 

When Geetha and her mother move from India to Rhode Island, they leave behind everything Geetha loves-- friends, loving grandparents, her dog... all she's ever known and valued  And adjusting to American life proves to be challenging.  If all this change wasn't enough, Geetha must also face being made fun of.  It just seems so overwhelming.  Until she meets Miguel, and the two of them help rescue a harp seal.  It's her friendship with Miguel that helps Geetha make sense of this new life and her place in it.  As they get to know each other, Geetha begins to develop a deeper sense of who she is and how she's meant to fit in the world.

This middle-grade read, written in verse, addresses several topics of interest: pollution, immigration, family structure, and more.   The writer's style really allows readers to "see" into Geetha's mind and better understand how she's feeling.  The characters were very well-written and easily relatable.  However, the conservation issues felt a little clunky and out of place.  They felt like they had been simply dropped into a book that was trying hard to address several themes. The story mostly centered on Geetha and her family and was interesting enough without this added element.

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.