What We're Reading in January 2015

Our January started across the country with a trip to the Southwest. To escape -40 windchill, we left the day after Christmas and didn't get home until well after the year began. While one might think that a lot of reading would happen on a vacation, it didn't. We were way too busy most of the time. And although we logged over 3600 miles in a borrowed SUV together, some of the kids suffer from car sickness...'nough said!

Me, on the other hand...

I did lots of reading. Finished two books, as a matter of fact. Thanks for asking!

So, while some of our books for the month are different from those listed on last month's list, many of them are the same.

But hey, that's OK.

How can you ever expect a kid to read when there's meteor craters to look into, mountains to climb, and wild west cowboys to meet?!

Now that we're home, we are back in the saddle again with our reading. (So sorry about the "back in the saddle" bit. I was in cowpoke territory for nearly two weeks. I can't be held accountable for this or any other western-ese that might happen to come out in the next few days. But, I digress...)

Here's what we're reading this month.

Read Aloud- Everybody

The Sign of the Beaver- At the recommendation of dozens of Blog readers, we began this book just before Christmas. We have only a few pages left to read and will be sad to say goodbye to Matt and his heroic adventures with his Native American friend, Attean.

Jamie-That's Me!

The Heritage of Lancaster County Trilogy- This is a HUUUUUGE departure from the non-fiction I normally read. But while on vacation, I came to the end of my "pack for the trip" book much sooner than I had expected. In desperation for something...ANYTHING...to read for the four day journey back home, I grabbed the first book in this series and plunged into the lives of a fictional Amish family. After book 1, I was sort of required by all the "book reading laws" to see the series through to the end. And so, I'm currently trudging my way through book 2. I'm probably gonna move onto something a bit meatier before reading book 3, though. We shall see... 

Sweetie Pea- 6th grade

A Girl's Guide to Understanding Boys- (Mom assigned book) This is the last in a series of four books that I have intentionally planned for my daughter during these very pivotal pre-teen years. While the title and cover seems to imply that this is just another tween-girl-has-a-crush-on-boys book, it is not...AT ALL. It is actually a very Biblical look at how a young lady is to act around the opposite sex and how she should expect to be treated in return.

Redwall- (Read-for-fun book)

Super Boy- 3rd Grade

Henry and Ribsy- (Mom assigned book) Although my son seems to really enjoy the misadventures of Henry and his dog, he gets quite discouraged about the length of the chapters. They are very good, but as with most Beverly Cleary fiction, they are very long.

Space- (Read for fun book) My science boy has always clamored for anything about outer space. The telescope he was gifted while visiting his great uncle (an amateur astronomer) on our vacation has certainly added fuel to that raging fire. This title is one in a WONDERFUL series of boy-type adventure books that my sons received for Christmas.

Blonde Warrior- 2nd Grade

The Bears on Hemlock Mountain- (Mom assigned book) I absolutely love this simple classic and have passed it down to each of my kids so far. It's such an innocent and captivating story about a little boy lost in the woods WITH BEARS...or so he thinks!

Spying- (Read for fun book) This is another in the boy-type adventure books that my boys received. This one details the secret life and work of spies. I'd tell you more, but it's top secret.

Greased Lightning- Kindergarten

Scholastic Phonics Ready Readers- This is a series of graduated phonics readers that come in multiple boxed sets. He's on the last book of set 2 of the series. 

So partner (Sorry...that's the last one. I hope.), we'll have our noses in books for the next few weeks, bundled up against the cold. Sadly, out of the many souvenirs I was able to stash away in our luggage for our trip back home, the southwestern sunshine was not one of them. 

Mosey on back real soon, now, 'ya hear?! (Clearly I need some kind of vacation debriefing. Is there a number I can call?)

Whatcha' reading this month?