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…
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…
America’s War Heroes by Marilyn Boyer
Some of our kids are natural bookworms; others need a little more encouragement to read. I know a book must be exceptionally interesting if I catch them completely engrossed in the story of their own accord. Such was the case with Marilyn Boyer’s new book, America’s War Heroes, and our 12 year old son, who…
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…
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…
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…
Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis
Elijah of Buxton is the first free born black child, the son of two freed slaves, who escaped to Buxton, Ontario, a little settlement just North of the US-Canada border. Elijah is a likeable character and a typical 11 year old boy in his often humorous adventures and antics. In every other way, he is…
Tree in the Trail by Holling C. Holling
The kids unanimously agreed that after Paddle-To-The-Sea, Tree in the Trail was their next favorite Holling C. Holling geography book, followed by Seabird, and Minn of the Mississippi (we didn’t care so much for the last one, but looking forward to Pagoo next!) Tree in the Trail explores the history of the Great Plains by…
Twenty Texans by Betsy Warren
Twenty Texans: Historic Lives for Young Readers by Betsy Warren was another book we greatly enjoyed about the Lone Star state! It was recommended to me by a “born and raised” Texas mama, and it appealed to our whole crew as we learned about 20 mostly famous and a few lesser known Texans through the…
Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison by Lois Lenski
This book has seen better days, but its worn cover, loose binding, and dog-eared pages speak volumes (no pun intended); Indian Captive, The Story of Mary Jemison by Lois Lenski is a well-loved living book that I’ve enjoyed since I was as young as our children are now! The story is always moving quickly, so…
Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
Turning the last page of Johnny Tremain evoked audible sighs all around the room. What an experience to live in Boston during the latter half of the 1700s over the past few weeks! Author Esther Forbes introduced us to a plethora of interesting characters a few years before the Revolutionary War took place. They developed…
