The Rifle by Gary Paulsen
I had very little desire to read The Rifle by Gary Paulsen, but since it was of great interest to our boys especially, and covered one of our favorite time periods, it was chosen as a read aloud. The author described the fashioning of a rifle in 1768 so vividly, it seemed as though Cornish…
Breaking Stalin’s Nose by Eugene Yelchin
If you stopped reading Breaking Stalin’s Nose after chapter 1, you might think Communism was a noble ideology. Everyone shares everything. There are 48 people living in Sasha’s little apartment and only one bathroom. He is often hungry, but never complains. Good Communists learn to repress cravings for such unimportant matters as food. It’s a…
A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park
I greatly enjoyed reading A Single Shard last week with our middle two girls, ages nine and ten. Tree-Ear is an orphan boy who lives under a bridge in 12th century Korea with Crane-man, a homeless man with a bad leg. He epitomizes the saying, “The wisdom of the wise is an uncommon degree of…
Following God Fully: An Introduction to the Puritans by Joel Beeke and Michael Reeves
Following God Fully: An Introduction to the Puritans seemed like an appropriate book to review for Thanksgiving. Many of the pilgrims who came to America on the Mayflower were Puritans. Facing persecution in Europe from the Church of England because they desired to worship God only as He commanded in His Word, they left for…
The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare
The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare was one of my favorite books my mother read to me, and I’m thrilled that our children love it just the same! This piece of historical fiction explores the early Roman Empire through the eyes of Daniel, an 18 year-old Israelite growing up during the time of Jesus.…
Portraits of Integrity by Marilyn Boyer
Portraits of Integrity quickly became the favorite book in our Morning Basket when we read it a few years ago. The kids always stuck it at the bottom of the pile because they wanted to “finish with the best.” Tears were shed more than once while I tried to blubber my way through the story…
Trapped in Hitler’s Web by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
Trapped In Hitler’s Web, an emotional, highly suspenseful story based on true events, explores the lesser-known Ukrainian experience of World War 2. In her attempt to hide in plain sight by joining one of Hitler’s work farms in Austria, Maria learns that the poster promising money for her labor was a big lie. However, she…
Little Britches by Ralph Moody
Little Britches was recommended to me by three close friends, and it didn’t even take an entire chapter to understand its appeal. This autobiography by Ralph Moody is a coming-of-age story that shares how his experience as an eight-year-old boy on a Colorado ranch in the early 1900s turns him into a man. It is…
Cue For Treason by Geoffrey Trease
Cue For Treason is one of those books I enjoyed reading so much as a kid, it got put on my mental “must read to my own children” list. I found a used copy at a local bookstore a few years ago, and was pleased our children enjoyed it as much as I had. The…
Profiles of Valor by Marilyn Boyer
Profiles of Valor by Marilyn Boyer was an interesting book to read as a Canadian, still part of the British Commonwealth that the Founding Fathers of America fought for freedom from when it was ruled by King George III. It chronologically follows the events that happened during the War of Independence from 1775-1783, with a…
Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink
Caddie Woodlawn was one of those books that had to be read two chapters at a time before bed because the slightest pause was met with multiple cries of, “Oh please, Mom! Please! Just a little bit more!” I kept going for my sake as much as theirs! This book is similar to Little House…
Trial and Triumph by Richard Hannula
If I could only suggest one church history book to read aloud to your kids this year, it would be Trial and Triumph. In this well-researched, well-written living book, Richard Hannula has brought to life forty-six heroes of the faith. Beginning with Polycarp in the Early Church, and ending with Richard Wrumbrand, Trial and Triumph…
