What I Read and Our Homeschool Read Alouds ll January 2026

 What I Read:

Helen Roseveare: Mama Luka

by Janet and Geoff Benge

The missionary biography of Helen Roseveare, an English doctor who moves to the heart of Africa to open a hospital.  During her time there, she faces unimaginable difficulties.  From escaping both kidnappings and intentional poisonings, to building her own medical school with the help of her students, Roseveare follows the Lord's leading in a life of adventure and purpose.  Truly inspiring story.  We love this series of books.

Anne's House of Dreams by L.M. Montgomery

When Anne marries the love of her life, Gilbert, they move to Four Winds Harbor, where he begins his career as a doctor.  There they make their own little house of dreams, forging new friendships and building a life together.  Through both joy and heartache, Anne and Gilbert discover the true meaning of love and family.  I'm constantly amazed by L.M. Montgomery's ability to develop new characters as well as bringing out more and more of Anne's true self.

Peg and Rose Stir Up Trouble by Laurien Berenson

Estranged sisters-in-law, Peg and Rose, are finally learning how to get along when Rose signs Peg up for a senior dating website.  Peg is reluctant until she makes a connection with Nolan Abercrombie, a handsome , successful, attentive bachelor.  But when Nolan is killed, Peg and Rose swoop in  and start investigating his death.  It turns out Nolan had A LOT of enemies.  These two senior sleuths team up to solve the mystery as the suspect list continues to grow.  A page turner to the very end, this book had just the right mix of mystery and humor, perfect for a lighthearted read.

Grit Don't Quit by Bianca Juarez Olthoff

Life eventually knocks all of us down.  Some knocks are easier to get back up from.  Some knocks... some knocks take the wind out of us.  Then what?  We have to dig in for hope, perseverance, and grit.  Author Bianca Juárez Olthoff uses the life of Paul to illustrate how grit can be cultivated into emotional, mental, and spiritual health. Falls will come, life will knock us senseless... but it's more about whether we stay down and believe the lies, or get backup and chase after God's purpose in our lives.

A Wolf Called Fire by Rosanne Parry

In this stand alone companion to A Wolf Called Wander, Warm finds himself in charge of the pups when an enemy pack kills his parents.  Often seen as the weaker sibling, Warm must protect, provide, and form the pups into a new pack.  But food is scarce, and enemy is stalking them.It isn't until the two packs face off that Warm realizes what a great leader he's become.  This was a great story about family, survival, and find purpose and leadership.  I'm adding this one to our recommendation list for grades 4-6. 

Our Homeschool Read Alouds:

Listening for Lions by Gloria Whelan

When the flu sweeps through her African village, Rachael Sheridan finds herself orphaned... and abducted by a couple trying to find their way back to England.  The Pritchards' try to use Rachael to get into favor with her "grandfather" so they can return home to the family fortune.  Posing as Valerie, she and the grandfather strike up a friendship.  But when the Pritchards return, Rachael finds that she can no longer keep up the facade.  But what will her confession do to Grandfather?  I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but we really loved it.  The characters were so well written and the storyline kept us engaged from cover to cover.  Really great work.

Extra Credit by Andrew Clements

Abby Carson hates school.  She'd much rather be out in the woods, building and exploring.  But when she's threatened with failing 7th grade, Abby much take on an extra credit assignment... writing letters to a pen pal..  But in Afghanistan, things are different.  Sadeed is the best student in his school and should be the one writing letters to Abby.  But because he's a boy, he must write letters through his sister.  At first he resents the work, but it isn't long before an unlikely friendship materializes.  Still there are those who believe connects with America are unhealthy, and the letters become dangerous... especially for Sadeed and his sister.  I loved the innocent friendship between the two main characters, and the frank, but gentle, look at differences in culture and traditions.

What are you reading?