Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Favorite Summer Reading


We’ve found so many wonderful books this summer and thought we’d share with anyone interested.   We read many books with character building themes, but also some books with foreign cultural context – giving our girls a peek into the lives of children around the world – both modern and historical.  Some are just silly – while others address weightier issues.  We found books suitable for ESOL readers - more mature themes with an easy reading level.  I hope you enjoy them as much as we did!

Read alouds for 2nd -6th graders:

The Year of Miss Agnes: The story of a dedicated Alaskan teacher and her students.


Yang the Youngest and his Terrible Ear: The story of a Chinese family of musicians whose youngest boy would rather play baseball, and his best friend who would rather play the violin.  A terrific story for anyone who ever had unique interests within their family.


Caddie Woodlawn:  Hilarious stories of a family in early America. Most memorable line:  “Obadiah Jones had met his Waterloo,” when a new teacher comes to town!

The Little Princess:  Great story/movie about a girl who wonders if she’d still be a nice girl without her wealth.

Esperanza Rising:  The story of a wealthy Mexican girl who loses her father and riches and travels to the United States for a new life.  A sober look at the migrant worker’s living conditions.  I used the audio book as it was rather long.

The YWAM missionary biographies – BUY THE ENTIRE SET!!!  We read Amy Carmichael and Hudson Taylor.  Life changing stories!




Vivaldi’s Four Seasons (book):  picture book of Vivaldi’s work with orphans – includes a Cd.

ANY of the Journeyforth books found on the BJU Press Website.  There are so many and they are all excellent.  My kids’ all time favorites are the books of the Arby Jenkins series.  These are rarely found in libraries – but are a worthwhile investment – especially for boys.

Emerging readers:
Mercy Watson series:  SILLY early reading books for emerging readers -1st grade-2nd

Lady Lollipop/Clever Lollipop:  the story of how a clever pig is able to reform a spoiled princess. 

Kelsey Green the Reading Queen:  Super reader Kelsey Green learns some character lessons during a reading contest.

Reggie:  Story of a boy who finds a cool mouse toy attached to a balloon and his struggle with conscience to return it to its owner.

Series:  Cam Jansen, Clementine, and Ivy Bean.

Younger readers: 7-10
The Year of the Panda:


The story of a boy and his father who care for an orphaned Panda.

Yang the Third Youngest and Her Impossible Family:  Another story about the Yang family and cultural challenges for new immigrants.

White Fur Flying:  The story of a family who rescues dogs and helps heal the heart of a troubled boy.

The Trailblazer series:  Young reader missionary bios written within a fictional context.  Exciting and fun!  Hard to find – and cheapest via kindle. ALL my kids like these.  Their favorites so far:  The Hidden Jewel, Flight of the Fugitives, Imprisoned in the Golden City.   http://www.amazon.com/Shanghaied-China-Hudson-Taylor-Trailblazer/dp/1556612710/ref=pd_sim_b_1

Lumber Camp Library:  Great historical fiction for young readers.  Ruby learns to read and in turn teaches the lumberjacks.

Series: The Boxcar Children

Older Elementary

The House of Sixty Fathers:  I loved this story about a young Chinese boy and his pet pig during the Japanese invasion of China in WWII.  After his family narrowly escapes from their village, he is accidentally swept back down the river into Japanese held territory.  He must evade the soldiers on his way back - along with hungry inhabitants who want his pig.  He helps an American airman, wounded during a plane crash, and the two travel dangerously together.  Thrilling story!



Black Beauty:  the Classic

Series: The Penderwicks

Middle School (or good readers)

Daughter of a Thousand Pieces of Gold:  The story of a young Chinese girl whose family dies in a flood and her journey through mistreatment by a village enemy, the orphanage, and eventually to a new family through adoption.  My 5th grader enjoyed this.

       
A Single Shard:  I loved this story!  The life of an orphaned Korean boy who is cared for by crippled “Crane Man” under a bridge.  It tells how the boy meets disaster, makes restitution, and learns the value of integrity along the way.


Homeless Bird:  Story of a Brahmin girl who is married off at 13 years old to a dying boy.  She becomes an early widow and finds herself on her own in the city where widows are taken to for abandonment.  Chance meetings give this story a better ending than the reality for most – a gentle look for middle school girls.


Red Scarf Girl:  True story of a young Chinese girl who weathers the difficult times of the Cultural Revolution in China.  Must read for all.

Mary, Bloody Mary(Carolyn Meyers):  Engaging story of Queen Mary’s childhood and subsequent rise to the throne.  My middle schooler is currently engrossed by this story and can’t wait to read the rest of Carolyn Meyers’ books.  This child typically avoids historical fiction!

And our favorite Middle School Classics:
Tom Sawyer
Oliver Twist
The Witch of Blackbird Pond
Redwall
Journey to the Center of the Earth
The Hobbit
C.T. Studd (YWAM series)
Lottie Moon (YWAM series)

Best wishes for good reading! 

Blessings,

Kim

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