What We're Reading in January 2016

What We're Reading in January 2016


I must confess, the jolly-ness of Christmas break found us reading much less than I had hoped the past few weeks. But, we spent lots of time playing in the snow and hunching over a table filled with board games. So that warrants a dispensation, right?!

Consequently, a few of our December books have rolled over to this month. But, they are all very nearly done. 

So...
forward motion.
No shame.

Here's what we're reading as we launch into a new year.


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Read Aloud- for the four oldest

We are wrapping up Treasures of the Snow and then we will be moving on to the classic, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. It is my daughter's favorite book, but my boys have not yet experienced it. I'm looking forward to sharing it with them. 


Read aloud- for the two youngest

Hill of Fire- Perhaps when we are finished, we will watch the Reading Rainbow episode that features the book.


Jamie- that's me!

Listen to the Moon- (This is a middle-grade fiction book and one that came highly recommended by a friend.) It is a fascinating narrative from the perspective of the fictional sole survivor of the RMS Lusitania (the British ocean liner that was torpedoed by a German U-Boat during WWI) and the young boy who rescues her off a small island near the coast of England.

After reading it myself, I will probably recommend it to my daughter. So far, it is quite clean, albeit sad and somewhat heavy due to the nature of war.



What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast- This book is a small baby step towards reaching one of my Personal Goals for 2016. I have hopes to use my morning fringe hours more wisely.



Sweetie Pea- 7th grade

Carry On, Mr. Bowditch- This look at the maritime life of an 18th century Job-like character who loses all and continues on is just one of the many books on her Middle School MUST READS list. 


Super Boy- 4th grade

Run for Your Life- (Mom-assigned book) Last month, I reported that he was having trouble sloughing through the first half of this book due to the divided plot between the life of a Jewish family and that of a German family. Fortunately, the second half of the book finds the two storylines intertwined making it much more easy to follow and enjoy.



Totally Irresponsible Science- (Just-for-fun book)


Blonde Warrior- 3rd grade

Next Spring An Oriole- (Mom-assigned book) Admittedly, this book is a bit under my son's reading level. But after requiring him to read a lengthier book last month, I wanted to start his new year out with a breezier story. (The main character of the book is a girl, and to be honest, I wasn't sure how well my son would receive a "girl" book. But, it's a story filled with adventure as it follows a family while they travel out west by covered wagon. So, that alone has him captivated.)





Greased Lightning- 1st grade

Baby Wolf- (Mom-assigned book) My son is 6-year-old naturalist who loves all-things-nature. So, in order to foster a reading passion within him, I MUST start there!


Pizza Pat (Just-for-fun book)



Those are the books that have launched us into 2016. How about you? What are you reading?

6 comments:

  1. I'm braving reading Herodotus aloud to my oldest 4 (ages 12-15). It is full of stories that appear out of nowhere between agonizing paragraphs full of confusing place names and genealogies. The stories are keeping us going. :)

    That little wolf book looks like something my newest readers would love. I'm going to check it out. Thanks.

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    1. Wow, you are brave. I hope you and your kids enjoy it.

      The Baby Wolf book is a simple look at the life of a wolf pack. It is a simple non-fiction written narratively.

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  2. How long does it take your 1st grader to go through the books he is reading each month? Does he read them more than once?

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    1. He actually just finished the one listed above. I write these posts at the first of the month and list the books we are currently reading. But, most of us usually move on to other books throughout the month as we finish the ones listed. So, he will move on to a different book tomorrow. Most of the books he reads only take 2 or 3 days to finish. They are simple chapter-style, early readers. He typically reads a chapter or section a day.
      When my kids are first learning to read and are using Bob Books or other simple emergent readers, I always have them read the book through two or three times. But, once they are in first grade and have moved on to these simple chapter books, I only require them to read it once.

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    2. So just to clarify, the books I have listed are not necessarily the only books we will read in the month. For instance, last month, I mentioned that I read The Bears of Hemlock Mountain to my littlest two. It is a really short book and we were able to finish it and read two others by month's end.

      I only listed one book for my own personal reading, but I was actually able to read one other and half of an eBook.

      I just don't always know by the start of the month what we will be moving on to, so I only list the ones we are currently reading. If that makes sense??!

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  3. Oh, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe! We're reading through the entire Narnia series currently and I love it! I think I *might* be enjoying it more than the kids - or at least as much.

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