Books

FROM SARAH:

It's time for bed, but not a moment before we absolutely have to go. A wonderful bedtime book.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Acclaimed author Molly Bang shares the going-to-bed countdown in a loving family. “Ten small toes all washed and warm,” begins the story, and then young readers journey toward tuck-in time, counting down along with the story’s African-American father and daughter.

FROM SARAH:

Takes a loving look at knees from the vantage point of a mother's lap.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A vibrant, playful verse that celebrates a beautiful brown baby's sweet little knees, for fans of Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

From early on, children are looking to discover their place in the world and longing to understand how their personalities, traits, and talents fit in. The assurance that they are deeply loved and a unique creation in our big universe is certain to help them spread their wings and fly.

Through playful, charming rhyme and vivid, fantastical illustrations, When God Made You inspires young readers to learn about their own special gifts and how they fit into God’s divine plan as they grow, explore, and begin to create for themselves.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The whole family can participate in loving and caring for the new baby.

FROM SARAH:

I absolutely love this counting board book, perfect for toddlers. Not a specific "Thanksgiving" story, but a celebration of a shared meal, all the same.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A counting book that features an African-American family shopping for food, preparing dinner, and sitting down to eat. Lively read-aloud text paired with bright collage illustrations.

Introduce your students to the beauty of literature through the doorway of poetry. Enrich vocabulary while infusing reliably correct and sophisticated English language patterns into students' minds.Contains instruction, memory charts, and 76 poems for memorization at 4 levels. Level Five speech and ...

FROM SARAH:

Ten-year-old Persimmony Smudge lives a boring life on the Island in the Middle of Everything, but she longs for adventure. And she soon gets it when she overhears a life-altering secret and suddenly finds herself in the middle of an amazing journey. Fantastically funny. Your kids can meet author/illustrator Jennifer Trafton at her Author Access video replay in RAR Premium.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Ten-year-old Persimmony Smudge lives a boring life on the Island in the Middle of Everything, but she longs for adventure. And she soon gets it when she overhears a life-altering secret and suddenly finds herself in the middle of an amazing journey. It turns out that Mount Majestic, the rising and falling mountain in the center of the island, is not really a mountain - it's the belly of a sleeping giant!

Garvey's father has always wanted Garvey to be athletic, but Garvey is interested in astronomy, science fiction, reading—anything but sports. When his only friend encourages him to join the school chorus, Garvey's life changes.

In this verse novel, you'll meet Há, a girl whose family flees Vietnam after the Fall of Saigon. Her experience as a young immigrant to America is touching and poignant—and it's a quick read, which makes it a perfect choice if you're short on time.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

No matter how far behind Miller's students might be when they reach her 6th grade classroom, they end up reading an average of 40 to 50 books a year. Miller's unconventional approach dispenses with drills and worksheets that make reading a chore. Instead, she helps students navigate the world of literature and gives them time to read books they pick out themselves.

In Reading in the Wild, reading expert Donalyn Miller continues the conversation that began in her bestselling book, The Book Whisperer. While The Book Whisperer revealed the secrets of getting students to love reading, Reading in the Wild, written with reading teacher Susan Kelley, describes how to...

**Description from Amazon: Established in 1968, the Wheaton Literary Series provides insightful books for the thoughtful reader, inspiring imagination, and reflection. These beautifully produced volumes feature prose and poetry of high literary, academic, and artistic merit, written by and about Christian artists of significa...

**Description from Amazon: Are you made fainthearted by death? Does fire unnerve you? Is a villain something that might crop up in future nightmares of yours? Are you thrilled by nefarious plots? Is cold porridge upsetting to you? Vicious threats? Hooks? Uncomfortable clothing?It is likely that yo...

**Description from Amazon: "The World's Most Courageous Teacher" reveals the inner circle secrets of the American school system. The legendary schoolteacher, John Taylor Gatto, invested over 10 years of dedicated research to uncover some of the most alarming ideas and writings by the creators and advocates of mandatory attend...

FROM SARAH:

Chances are good that you loved Frances when you were a child... and she's still just as delightful to read about today!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Frances and Thelma are friends -- most of the timeThelma always seems to get Frances into trouble. When she tricks Frances into buying her tea set, it's the last straw. Can Frances show her that it's better to lose a bargain than lose a friend?

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Based in part on the author's own life, David Copperfield is the epic story of a young man's journey of self-discovery - from an unhappy and impoverished childhood to his vocation as a successful novelist. Among the memorable cast of characters he encounters along the way are his brutal stepfather, Mr Murdstone; bubbly Nurse Peggotty; his brilliant, but unworthy schoolmate Steerforth, his eccentric aunt, Betsy Trotwood, the scheming clerk Uriah Heep, the enchanting Dora and the magnificent Mr Macawber - a character much like Dickens' own father. Full of tragedy and comedy in equal measure, David Copperfield remains one of the most enduring and popular of Dickens' novels.

**Description from Amazon: Originally published in 1935, this beloved Bible storybook is still a favorite with todays children, parents, and teachers (including Ruth Bell Graham). More than 200 stories from the Old and New Testaments are retold in simple language appropriate for 4

**Description from Amazon: In spring, when City Dog runs free in the country for the first time, he spots Country Frog sitting on a rock, waiting for a friend. "You'll do," Frog says, and together they play Country Frog games. In summer, they meet again and play City Dog games. Through the seasons, whenever City Dog visits th...

**Description from Amazon: The five Mitchell children are based on the author's own family. In the first of three books about their adventures, Daddy has just gone off to World War II. One of his final words to his daughter Joan is, No dogs! She would dearly love such a pet, but life is full and so many new friends-pets as we...

**Description from Amazon: A long time ago there lived over the waters, a Duchess, a Duke and their family of daughters. Everything went smoothly and happily in this large family, until one day the Duchess decided to make: A lovely light luscious delectable cake - adding yeast six times for good measure! So the cake rose, and...

**Description from Amazon: Claire, Bill, and even Parson Henry discover that asking themselves, "What would Jesus do?" helps them live better lives.

**Description from Amazon: Who was Shakespeare, and why has his work remained so compelling to us for so many centuries? With conversational text, informative sidebars, and full-color photographs, The Young Person’s Guide to Shakespeare makes Shakespeare’s life and work accessible to young readers. Topics addressed includ...

**Description from Amazon: This twenty-fifth anniversary edition of Stephen Covey’s cherished classic commemorates the timeless wisdom of the 7 Habits.One of the most inspiring and impactful books ever written, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People has captivated readers for 25 years. It has transformed the lives of Presi...

**Description from Amazon: This timeless Newbery Honor Book from bestselling author Katherine Paterson about a wisecracking, ornary, completely unforgettable young heroine. Now a feature film starring Kathy Bates, Glenn Close, and Octavia Spencer! Eleven-year-old Gilly has been stuck in more foster families than she can reme...

Also available on audio (Audible).

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Laughs abound in this bestselling Christmas classic by Barbara Robinson! The Best Christmas Pageant Ever follows the outrageous shenanigans of the Herdman siblings, or “the worst kids in the history of the world.”

The siblings take over the annual Christmas pageant in a hilarious yet heartwarming tale involving the Three Wise Men, a ham, scared shepherds, and six rowdy kids. You and your family will laugh along with this funny story, perfect for independent reading or read-aloud sharing.

FROM SARAH:

I know this book is out of print, but if you stumble on *any* essays by Katherine Paterson, I have this advice for you: snatch it up! This is my very favorite collection of thoughts about reading and writing books for kids. You can hear my interview with Katherine Paterson on episode 81 of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

World-renowned, award-winning children's book author Katherine Paterson shares her insights into the wonder of a child's imagination in this stunning collection of more than a dozen critical essays on reading and writing for children. Originally published as two books: Gates of Excellence and The Spying Heart.

FROM SARAH:

For those who aren't quite ready to leave the world of the feechies after reading The Wilderking Trilogy. This one feels slightly more sophisticated to me, so I usually recommend it for 12+. Mama will enjoy in, in particular!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Welcome to Corenwald, where you'll meet an ugly boy named Grady and the circus huckster Floyd as they tramp through villages tricking folks into falling for their mythical feechie act. When business slows, Floyd drums up a grand scheme that has some surprising results for both the people in Corenwald and for Grady himself.

FROM SARAH:

The third in the Wilderking trilogy by Jonathan Rogers. This series is one of my most highly recommended read-alouds. Start with The Bark of the Bog Owl.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

King Darrow sends Aidan Errolson on an impossible quest, hoping he will never return, and although Aidan has enough friends to succeed on the journey, even he might not be able to defeat the powerful enemy that awaits him at its end.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Flannery O’Connor’s work has been described as “profane, blasphemous, and outrageous.” Her stories are peopled by a sordid caravan of murderers and thieves, prostitutes and bigots whose lives are punctuated by horror and sudden violence. But perhaps the most shocking thing about Flannery O’Connor’s fiction is the fact that it is shaped by a thoroughly Christian vision. If the world she depicts is dark and terrifying, it is also the place where grace makes itself known. Her world—our world—is the stage whereon the divine comedy plays out; the freakishness and violence in O’Connor’s stories, so often mistaken for a kind of misanthropy or even nihilism, turn out to be a call to mercy.

FROM SARAH:

The third in the Wilderking trilogy by Jonathan Rogers. This series is one of my most highly recommended read-alouds. Start with The Bark of the Bog Owl.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Aidan Errolson, recently returned home to Corenwald, learns of a new party of Aidanites who believe he is the destined king to overthrow the tyrant King Darrow.

FROM SARAH:

A picture book about one of my favorite poets, illustrated by one of my favorite illustrators! This picture book is a bit sad but it's so lovely, and worth owning for your home library.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

From Michael Bedard and two-time Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator Barbara Cooney comes a story about American poet Emily Dickinson and the young girl who befriends her.What if your neighbor were the reclusive poet Emily Dickinson?

**Description from Amazon: A mouse's-eye-view of Emily DickinsonWhen a mouse named Emmaline takes up residence behind the wainscoting of Emily Dickinson's bedroom, she wonders what it is that keeps Emily scribbling at her writing table throughout the day and into the night. Emmaline sneaks a look, and finds that it's poetry!...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
With fantastic characters and enchanting language, Lewis Carroll created magical wonderlands children have always loved to visit. These 26 selections from his classic works have never lost their fascination.

**Description from Amazon: Illus. in black-and-white. This classic collection of poetry is available in a handsome new gift edition that includes seven additional poems written after The Dream Keeper was first published. In a larger format, featuring Brian Pinkney's scratchboard art on every spread, Hughes's inspirational mes...

**Description from Amazon: In the further adventures of Josh McBroom, the crops grow so fast, you'd better step out of the way when you plant corn, red barns turn blue in the cold, and words freeze still in mid-air. "As fresh as ever."--Booklist.

**Description from Amazon: A NEWBERY HONOR BOOKThe minute he saw the boat with the red sails moving into the harbor, Michele knew that something exciting was going to happen. Sailing on the ship were three men who would come to stay at Michele's parents’ inn. The men said they were searching—one for beauty, one for advent...

**Description from Amazon: Is your child getting lost in the system, becoming bored, losing his or her natural eagerness to learn? If so, it may be time to take charge of your child’s education―by doing it yourself.The Well-Trained Mind will instruct you, step by step, on how to give your child an academically rigorous, c...

**Description from Amazon: “Books are like puzzles,” write Lawrence and Nancy Goldstone. “The author’s ideas are hidden, and it is up to all of us to figure them out.” In this indispensable reading companion, the Goldstones–noted parent-child book club experts–encourage grownups and young readers alike to adopt ...

FROM SARAH:

I haven't read this classic, but everyone I know who has read it has loved it!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When orphaned young Maria Merryweather arrives at Moonacre Manor, she feels as if she's entered Paradise. Her new guardian, her uncle Sir Benjamin, is kind and funny; the Manor itself feels like home right away; and every person and animal she meets is like an old friend. But there is something incredibly sad beneath all of this beauty and comfort--a tragedy that happened years ago, shadowing Moonacre Manor and the town around it--and Maria is determined to learn about it, change it, and give her own life story a happy ending. But what can one solitary girl do?

**Description from Amazon: A wise tale of a little princess who wanted the moon and got it. “Grown-ups themselves will find the book hilariously funny. . . . The lovely, squiggly illustrations in color are exactly right.”--The New Yorker

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Amos the mouse and Boris the whale: a devoted pair of friends with nothing at all in common, except good hearts and a willingness to help their fellow mammal. They meet after Amos sets out to sail the sea and finds himself in extreme need of rescue.

**Description from Amazon: A giant of American humor makes his Penguin Classics debut with “probably the best book in the world” (Neil Gaiman, from the Introduction), in a stunning Deluxe Edition featuring the original, full-color illustrations  The hands of all thirteen clocks stand still in the gloomy castle on a loner...

**Description from Amazon: Great American humorist James Thurber’s beloved, madcap, and eerily timely fairy tale about an island society robbed of the wonders of the letter O—in a stunning Deluxe Edition featuring flaps, deckle-edged paper, and the original, full-color illustrations   Littleneck has a map that indicates ...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Abel's place in his familiar, mouse world has always been secure; he had an allowance from his mother, a comfortable home, and a lovely wife, Amanda. But one stormy August day, furious flood water carry him off and dump him on an uninhabited island.

**Description from Amazon: Dear Friends,I am leaving in rather a hurry to see more of the world, so I have no time to say goodbye to you individually. I embrace you all and sniff you with love. I don't know when I'll be back. But back I will be.DominicIt's time for a change, so Dominic packs his collection of hats and his pic...

A trickster tale with a twist! How does a kindhearted dentist who also happens to be a mouse make sure that a fox with a toothache doesn't let his tastebuds get the better of him?

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Sketcher, adventurer, disguiser, and sneaker Ollister B. Pembrick roamed all of Skree with a sketchbook and pen, searching behind every tree stump and under every stone, in every river and on every hill, to discover and document the endless living wonders of the Maker's world. He risked life and limb—quite literally—to compile sketches and details of the creatures of Skree, usually from the cover of a hollow log, a hedge, or a pile of leaves.

FROM SARAH:

One of my favorite middle-grade authors, and one of my favorite middle-grade books. Watch how Shakespeare transforms one student's life in this can't-put-it-down novel. Highly recommended. If you've got all young kids, read this one on your own!  Gary Schmidt is easily one of today's best writers for teens. Meet him in the Author Access replay inside RAR Premium.

Recommended for ages 10+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

**Description from Amazon: A young boy asks his father questions about the moon and imagines flying there with his toy monkey.

Poor rabbit! There's a frightening creature hiding inside his burrow! Rabbit's friends come to his aid. Who is the Giant Jumparee? And what if it doesn't leave Rabbit's home?

**Description from Amazon: In a first-time creative pairing, two of the world’s most treasured picture book creators offer a truly delightful book for new-siblings-to-be.When is the new baby coming? What will we call it? What will he do? We don’t really need a baby, do we? With sensitivity and wit, John Burningham follows...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Rupert Bear is one of the most famous and long-standing characters in children's books, with a rich history spanning eight decades. Rupert stories are created from a combination of pictures, rhyming text and story paragraph that has proven successful with generations of young readers. While retaining these classic elements, Egmont has updated the artwork and stories to create an annual with universal appeal.

**Description from Amazon: The classic story of literature’s most beloved elephant. After his mother is killed by a hunter, Babar avoids capture by escaping to the city, where he is befriended by the kindly Old Lady. Later, with cousins Celeste and Arthur, he returns to the great forest to be crowned King of the Elephants...

**Description from Amazon: Mom and baby are home alone when—DING DONG!—Auntie and then Uncle and Nannie and Gran-Gran and the cousins come to visit. And they all want to hug and kiss and squeeze and eat the baby right up—because everybody loves the baby SO MUCH! With Helen Oxenbury lending her characteristic warmth an...

**Description from Amazon: Helen Oxenbury’s most loved board books are now available in an adorable mini-board book boxed set! This collection includes full mini-editions of Clap Hands, Say Goodnight, All Fall Down and Tickle, Tickle with newly refreshed covers. With a total of almost half a million copies sold in the past ...

**Description from Amazon: The reissue of a classic first storybook to celebrate Helen Oxenbury's work.Mum is too tired to cook so Dad offers to take the family out for supper. But the youngest person present can't sit still and has to go to the toilet at the wrong time. Then someone falls over him when he decides to hide und...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Welcome back to a Wonderland that is as astonishingly new as it is joyously familiar. Helen Oxenbury, one of the world’s most acclaimed illustrators, brings her special brand of magic to the Lewis Carroll classic in a handsome volume boasting more illustrations than any other edition - called a "masterpiece" by Parents’ Choice. Her Wonderland is exuberant, contemporary, and lovingly created, with all the warmth, depth of emotion, humor, and acute observations of people and animals for which the artist’s work is so highly regarded. An elegant, textured cover with flaps makes this a beautiful gift book.