Here it is...installment #2 of books that I think are good for kids to read.
Last time I focused more on whole sets of books and most of them were definitely "older" in their original publication dates. The benefit of these older books is that they are usually free or pretty cheap on Kindle. Also, because more people are interested in these classics, they are all being newly published, so you'll get a nice, newly printed edition if you order them through a publisher.
I did mention one series last time that is modern, the Landon Snow books. Here is the review I included from The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, if you missed it last time. Krypto really enjoyed this series.
http://thehomeschoolmagazine.com/Homeschool_Reviews/3577.php
Now, on to other books and series that we've enjoyed recently.
1. The Carole Marsh Mysteries. Her series by-line is "Real Kids, Real Places" and that is what she does....she sets each book in a real place that you can go and visit after reading the book (the Biltmore, Ft. Sumter, Disneyworld, New York City, The Alamo), and she has real kids that go along on the adventure and help to solve the mystery. I know growing up that I liked to read the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books. These just might be the answer to the "updated" children helping to solve a mystery genre. By the way, Krypto just this week checked out the first in the Hardy Boys series. I'll let you know what he thinks after he reads it.
2. The Imagination Station series. Do your kids like the "Adventures in Odyssey" radio drama? Well, there are now 8 books that are out that have a "Magic Treehouse" like feel to them. The kids travel through time...Medieval, Rome, Vikings, Marco Polo, War of the Roses, Bible times, Plymouth, etc. and meet historical characters and learn biblical lessons. Krypto told me after he read the 5th one, "Showdown with a Shepherd," that the lesson was that it was more important to "have a giant faith in God than have a giant on your side." I like that!
3. Redwall. Wow, twenty two books about animals that talk, in a made up fantasy world, and my boy is loving them. I can hardly say anything more...so I asked Krypto, "If another kid asked you why they should read the Redwall series, what would you say?" His reply was, "Well, the characters are almost alive when you read them, I really like them, and all you really need is a good imagination and you feel like you're in the book." I would say that is a pretty good referral for a kids' book.
4. Jungle Doctor series. You had to know I'd bring up something that is based in Africa, right? This series was originally published in the '50s and has been republished many times. They take place right here in Tanzania actually, at Mvumi hospital. We got our set from Vision Forum, before we left the States, and I only brought the first 6. Krypto was given the first 2 or 3 for Christmas and really liked the adventure aspect of them. I definitely think it's important for young children to appreciate other cultures and you can't do that just by teaching them the history and geography of a country or a region. They have to read the literature, too. They need to see the different terms that are used, how people react and interact differently than we would in our Western society. I'm sure there are many other series out there like this...if you're interested in a certain region or culture, do some internet searches. You might be surprised at the books that will come to your attention.
5. What about those of you that don't want to order a bunch of new books....well, do you have access to a library? Maybe print off the Newberry and Caldecott Medal Winners. The Newberry Award has been around since 1922 and Caldecott since 1938...you're talking about 165 books that are considered "the best of the best" each year. Have we read them all, absolutely not :)....but, over time, I'm sure many of them will slip in either through interest, free reading, or because of school.
***Upon posting this, I felt a disclaimer was in order. In no way have I read or even checked every title on the Newberry or Caldecott Medal Winner lists. I'm sure that I would not agree with "every" book on the lists. SO, just being certain that you understand I am not blanket condoning reading an award winner, simply because it is an award winner. As with all things, do your homework, read reviews, read a few chapters before your children do to be sure you approve, ask friends, PRAY about discernment, and take into account your own child's personality, maturity, dreams, emotional level, etc. when choosing books for them to read!!!!
Newberry List for you to print - includes Doctor Dolittle, The Tale of Despereaux, A Wrinkle in Time, Carry On Mr. Bowditch, Sarah Plain and Tall, etc, etc....
http://www.abcteach.com/free/n/newberywinners.pdf
Caldecott List for you to print - includes Snowy Day, Where the Wild Things Are, Invention of Hugo Cabret, Abraham Lincoln, Make Way for Ducklings, etc, etc....
http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecottmedal/caldecottwinners/caldecottmedal
Has any of this been helpful to you? Have you gotten some new ideas? Have you, or your children, read something recently that you just loved? Let me know...maybe I should do another post about the books that I've been reading...hmmmm?!
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