What We're Reading in March 2016

What We're Reading in March 2016-a lovely list of books for all ages


This past week during our everybody-read-a-just-for-fun-book time (I should probably think of a more eloquent name for our morning reading time. No?), my "Reading's-not-my-favorite-thing" boy couldn't get enough of his book! (Can I just add a few more exclamations points to that sentence? One just doesn't seem to capture my excitement.) Even after our reading time was done and everyone else had left the living room to begin their studies, this boy...this I'm-allergic-to-fiction-books boy KEPT READING!!! And did I mention he had his nose in a fiction book?!

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Don't get me wrong...he absolutely looooooooooves having fiction read out loud to him. He's just always been a bit more of a non-fiction sorta fella' during his own personal reading.

That's fine by me. Truly. I lean towards non-fiction myself. But a small part of me has secretly hoped that reading fiction would eventually grab him.

That day?...that glorious day last week...found him captivated by a story. (Cue the sappy Hallmark movie soundtrack!)

Even though I typically encourage the kids to get busy with their first subjects of the day after our just-for-fun-reading time, I was not about to distract my son from the book he was holding. Thoughts of erecting a DO NOT DISTURB police-style barricade around the perimeter of the living room entered my head...but only for a brief moment. I promise.

As I had hoped, his reading skill level has improved quite a bit this year, and apparently so has his desire to read fiction

Ahhhh...bliss!

Here's what we'll be reading this month.

Read Aloud- for the four oldest

Mary Poppins- Although my oldest two kids saw the movie version of this fantastical classic years ago, my youngest three have never had the privilege. After we finish the book, we'll have a family movie night in honor of Ms. Poppins and her carpet bag o' fun!



Read Aloud- for the two youngest



Jamie- that's me!


Age of Opportunity- One more year and I'll have myself a teenager. While the world would have me believe that the emotional and physical changes of these youthful years are to be feared, I think God's Word has something different to say about the matter. I'm obviously going into the next decade of parenting with eyes-wide-open. But, I'm also excited to see how God can use my kids to serve Him in mighty and wonderful ways. This book has come highly recommended by a few moms who have already walked through the teenage years and have lived to tell about it! I'm about a third of the way through with it and find the writing style to be a bit dry. The content is good. Just dry. We shall see...



Sweetie Pea- 7th grade

Island of the Blue Dolphins- (Mom-assigned book) This is just one of the many books on her Middle School MUST READ list.


The Borrowers- (Just-for-fun book) This is also on her Middle School MUST READ list. She has enjoyed the list suggestions so much that she's now reading the titles for fun.



Super Boy- 4th grade

Daniel Boone- (Mom-assigned book) Admittedly, due to the anti-Native American sentiments of 1939 when it was originally published, this book does not paint Native Americans in the best light. But, I'm not going to let that discourage me from using it as a source of dialogue with my son. In fact, one of the questions I like to ask most often of my kids as they read a book ("How does reading this book now in this moment of history change the story from the author's moment?") will no doubt give us plenty to talk about. 


Voyage of the Vikings- (Just-for-fun book)



Blonde Warrior- 3rd grade

Mr. Popper's Penguins- (Mom-assigned book) My son loves silly, non-sensical fiction and fact-filled biographies. This book definitely falls into the former category. We read it together years ago, but as he was just a toddler, he only vaguely remembers the plot. He's loving the chance to get re-acquainted with Mr. Poppins and his energetic penguins.


Peril in the Palace- (Just-for-fun book)



Greased Lightning- 1st grade

Wild, Wild Wolves- (Mom-assigned book) I'm always looking for easy nature books for my young naturalist! I think he's gonna love this one.

(Update: We began this book and realized that there was a section about werewolves in it. So, we sent this one back to the library and began reading through something else.)


Barn Storm- (Just-for-fun book)




And that's what we'll be reading this month. How about you? Got any good titles to share?

13 comments:

  1. As always, love the suggestions. Keep 'em coming!

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    1. Hey there, Heidi! How's the fam? I always love popping over and seeing your latest pictures. I don't always leave comments. But, I love seeing that newbie of yours. She's super cute!

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  2. Hurrah for your newest book lover. :)

    We're loving Joy Hakim's The Story of Science books.

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    1. Ooooo...I've not heard of that one. My science-loving boy might like them.

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  3. Hey there! I have twin daughters, and this is my third year homeschooling. They attended public school through the fourth grade, before I brought them home. Currently, they are in the seventh grade. Since I am a product of the public school system, I have been struggling with grading. The only things I "grade" are grammar, math, and spelling, but with the high school years just around the corner as well as credits and transcripts, I was wondering if you could share some thoughts on that topic. What is your plan for Sweetie Pea's eighth grade year and high school? I absolutely love your website and have really enjoyed the information that you share! It has been extremely helpful! Thank you so much for all of your suggestions and encouragement!

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    1. I am actually working on putting together her high school plan. We live in a state that provides free college tuition for 11th and 12th graders, so we plan on having her dual enroll in homeschool and a private Christian University in our state her junior and senior years which will help with the transcript making process. I have a few thought and will hope to get a post written about high school/college plans soon.

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    2. I knew you had it covered! I am looking forward to that. Thank you so much!

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  4. I remember reading Island of the Blue Dolphins myself when I was in school. This looks like a great list of books; I found a few my boys would enjoy. Thank you.

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  5. Not sure if you've already read this one or not, but I just finished One Light Still Shines by Marie Monville. Truly, one of the most incredible things I have ever read. Page after page shouts of God's goodness, care and provision for His children even in the face of devastating loss few could ever imagine much less live. Made me fall in Love with Jesus all over again

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  6. Thanks for all your reading updates - I always enjoy browsing thru them and finding what we may enjoy as well! My son is in 1st grade, and I wondered how you go about choosing what books for your 1st grader (and all your kiddos I suppose!) to read on his own? Do you just look thru the library and pick out 1 or 2 you think he may enjoy, or have you found a list somewhere that you go off of? Thanks for all the great ideas!

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    1. I have a few trusted sights and lists. Here's a link to a post where I talk about all of that.

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    2. http://www.theunlikelyhomeschool.com/2015/06/my-list-of-top-book-lists-and-other.html

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