Books

**Description from Amazon: Nine-year-old Nanea may be the youngest in her family, but she still wants to "dip her paddle in" and be useful. She knows she's grown-up enough to help in her grandparents' market. But before she can prove that she's ready for more responsibility, the unthinkable happens: Japan attacks Pearl Harbor...

FROM SARAH:

I loved this memoir about a dad who read aloud to his daughter every single day until she completed high school. Need a little fire underneath you to prioritize read-alouds? This book oughtta do it! You can hear Alice Ozma talk about it on the RAR Podcast right here.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When Alice Ozma was in 4th grade, she and her father decided to see if he could read aloud to her for 100 consecutive nights. On the hundreth night, they shared pancakes to celebrate, but it soon became evident that neither wanted to let go of their storytelling ritual.

NARRATED BY: Kenneth Branagh, BEST FOR AGES: 5+

NARRATED BY: Michael Chamberlain, Scott Merriman, Taylor Ann Krahn, and RJ Palacio BEST FOR AGES: 11+

FROM SARAH:

You either enjoy Roald Dahl or you don't... and this book is as good a place to find out which camp you belong in. Heads-up, I'm a fan of most of Dahl's books, but when I read them aloud, I tend to modify some of the language. 😅 Read this book and then watch the (1971) movie to compare!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Willy Wonka's famous chocolate factory is opening at last!

But only five lucky children will be allowed inside. And the winners are: Augustus Gloop, an enormously fat boy whose hobby is eating; Veruca Salt, a spoiled-rotten brat whose parents are wrapped around her little finger; Violet Beauregarde, a dim-witted gum-chewer with the fastest jaws around; Mike Teavee, a toy pistol-toting gangster-in-training who is obsessed with television; and Charlie Bucket, Our Hero, a boy who is honest and kind, brave and true, and good and ready for the wildest time of his life!

FROM SARAH:

I love this book! It's a beautiful coming-of-age story about resilience, set first in Mexico and then in California's San Joaquin Valley during the Great Depression. The audiobook is especially well done. This one gets intense (and there is a death in the family), so I recommend it for ages 10+. It's beautifully done.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Esperanza Ortega possesses all the treasures a young girl could want: fancy dresses; a beautiful home filled with servants in the bountiful region of Aguascalientes, Mexico; and the promise of one day rising to Mama’s position and presiding over all of El Rancho de las Rosas.
But a sudden tragedy shatters that dream, forcing Esperanza and Mama to flee to California and settle in a Mexican farm labor camp. There they confront the challenges of hard work, acceptance by their own people, and economic difficulties brought on by the Great Depression.  When Mama falls ill from Valley Fever and a strike for better working conditions threatens to uproot their new life, Esperanza must relinquish her hold on the past and learn to embrace a future ripe with the riches of family and community.

FROM SARAH:

The award-winning classic that will make you laugh out loud and weep, all in the same chapter. Best for teens.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When the Watson family--ten-year-old Kenny, Momma, Dad, little sister Joetta, and brother Byron--sets out on a trip south to visit Grandma in Birmingham, Alabama, they don't realize that they're heading toward one of the darkest moments in America's history. The Watsons' journey reminds us that even in the hardest times, laughter and family can help us get through anything.

NARRATED BY: Avery Brooks, BEST FOR AGES: 11+

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

It’s wintertime at Greenglass House. The creaky smuggler’s inn is always quiet during this season, and twelve-year-old Milo, the innkeepers’ adopted son, plans to spend his holidays relaxing.

But on the first icy night of vacation, out of nowhere, the guest bell rings. Then rings again. And again...

Soon Milo’s home is bursting with odd, secretive guests, each one bearing a strange story that is somehow connected to the rambling old house. As objects go missing and tempers flare, Milo and Meddy, the cook’s daughter, must decipher clues and untangle the web of deepening mysteries to discover the truth about Greenglass House—and themselves

NARRATED BY: Hal Hollings, BEST FOR AGES: 6+

Wonderful on audio (Audible | LibroFM).

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Samantha is a wealthy orphan growing up in 1904. Her grandmother is raising her as a proper young lady with the best of everything. Still, Samantha is lonely. When her Uncle Gard comes to visit with his friend, Miss Cornelia Pitt, and a special gift for Samantha, it doesn’t go well. Even worse, Samantha isn’t allowed to play with Nellie, the girl next door, because Nellie is a servant. So Samantha decides to help Nellie learn to read. Through her forbidden friendship with Nellie, Samantha learns some important things, too—about truth, friendship, and family.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Thoroughly researched, generously illustrated with fascinating archival prints, and unflinching in its discussion of medical details, this book offers a glimpse into the conditions of American cities at the time of our nation's birth while drawing timely parallels to modern-day epidemics.

NARRATED BY: Kathy Hseih, BEST FOR AGES: 8+

NARRATED BY: Kate Forbes, BEST FOR AGES: 7+

NARRATED BY: Allyson Johnson, BEST FOR AGES: 12+

NARRATED BY: Pedro Pascal, BEST FOR AGES: 7+

NARRATED BY: Tom Stechschulte, BEST FOR AGES: 12+

NARRATED BY: Jeff Woodman, BEST FOR AGES: 10+

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In winter, spring, summer, and fall, Frog and Toad are always together. From sledding in winter to eating ice cream on hot summer days, these two friends have fun the whole year round!

Also available on LibroFM.

FROM SARAH:

This was one of the first books that was ever recommended to me for our homeschool history reading. A well-told narrative style history book. Read a chapter and have your kids tell it back, and you'll be delighted by how much they learn!

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 
One of the finest history books for children, this well-loved Hillyer classic features stories of world history from prehistoric man through the 20th century, inspiring an appreciation of how events relate to one another.

FROM SARAH:

I'm not actually sure poetry for children gets better than Robert Louis Stevenson. I love this collection!

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

A Child's Garden of Verses is a collection of poetry for children about childhood, illness, play and solitude by the Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson.

NARRATED BY: John R. Erickson, BEST FOR AGES: 5+

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Frog and Toad are always together. Here are five wonderful stories about flowers, cookies, bravery, dreams, and, most of all, friendship.

Also available on LibroFM.

NARRATED BY: Eleanor Erika Davis

BEST FOR AGES: 8+

LISTENING LENGTH: 45 min

NARRATED BY: Cathy Dobson, BEST FOR AGES: 7+

NARRATED BY: Julius Lester, BEST FOR AGES: 5+

NARRATED BY: Bill Wallis, BEST FOR AGES: 5+

NARRATED BY: Jean Fritz, BEST FOR AGES: 6+

NARRATED BY: Jean Fritt, BEST FOR AGES: 6+

NARRATED BY: Natalie Ross, BEST FOR AGES: 10+ (heads up: young earth creationists may want to skip this one)

NARRATED BY: Barbara Caruso, BEST FOR AGES: 10+

NARRATED BY: Gabra Zackman, BEST FOR AGES: 8+

NARRATED BY: Sisi A. Johnson, BEST FOR AGES: 10+

FROM SARAH:

All of the historical American Girl books are excellent on audio (yep, even my boys enjoy them, and we all learn a whole lot while listening). Highly recommend! (Audible | LibroFM).

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Kaya is an adventurous Nez Perce girl growing up before America became a country. When her courage is tested, Kaya draws strength from the traditions and legends her elders share.

FROM SARAH:

The American Girl audiobooks are tremendously well done and riveting for boys and girls alike. We've listened to all of them... several times over! Highly recommended to pair with your history studies or for whole-family road trips. Available on Audible.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Taking place in 1854, Kirsten’s stories follow the young Swedish immigrant and her family as they attempt to start a new life on a farm in frontier Minnesota. This collection includes: "Meet Kirsten", "Kirsten Learns a Lesson", "Kirsten’s Surprise", "Happy Birthday, Kirsten!", "Kirsten Saves the Day", and "Changes for Kirsten".

Wonderful on audio (Audible | LibroFM).

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Kit Kittredge has a nose for news—but she never dreamed that the news stories about the hard times of the Depression would become her own story. First Mother’s bothersome friends move in with the Kittredges. Then Dad loses his business, and Kit’s family could lose their house! Things look hopeless, but a clever idea might let her family keep their home. Can Kit help pull it off?

NARRATED BY: Chris Ensweiler and George Mount, BEST FOR AGES: 8+

FROM SARAH:

An absolute delight of a read-aloud, and a testament to the transformative power of nature, family, and kindness. You can visit the Hurry Hill Maple Farm & Museum in Pennsylvania, which pays tribute to the Newbery-Award-winning book!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A father's wounded heart. A mother's patient love. An eager boy, an impetuous girl, and, above all, the healing power of nature. These are the classic ingredients that fill Virginia Sorensen's Newbery Award-winning novel with a tender power and lift it to classic status. First published in 1956, Miracles on Maple Hill is almost uncanny in its appeal for today's young listeners. For here is the story of a father returned from war in a distant land, wounded in body but even more in spirit, and a family desperate for him to be returned to wholeness, a wholeness they hope can be found on Maple Hill.

NARRATED BY: Katherine Kellgren, BEST FOR AGES: 6+

FROM SARAH:

All of the historical American Girl books are excellent on audio (yep, even my boys enjoy them, and we all learn a whole lot while listening). Highly recommend! Available on (Audible | LibroFM).

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When her cousin Ana’s family needs money to leave Russia, Rebecca puts on a sidewalk show, but all she earns is a scolding. Once Ana arrives in New York, Rebecca shares her room and her clothes and helps her cousin learn English. But when Ana is assigned to sing with her in a school program, Rebecca’s heart sinks. Ana’s Russian accent will ruin the show! Rebecca realizes her performance is one thing she does not want to share with her cousin. But how can she explain that to Ana?

NARRATED BY: Pamela Garelick, BEST FOR AGES: 8+

NARRATED BY: Keith Nobbs, BEST FOR AGES: 8+

NARRATED BY: Ilyana Kadushin BEST FOR AGES: 10+

NARRATED BY: Channie Waites, BEST FOR AGES: 8+

NARRATED BY: Christina Moore, BEST FOR AGES: 10+

NARRATED BY: Ed Sala, BEST FOR AGES: 8+

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Anastasia's tenth year has some good things, like falling in love and really getting to know her grandmother, and some bad things, like finding out about an impending baby brother.

**Description from Amazon: (star) "A compelling and inspirational portrait of the author emerges from these vivid snapshots of life's joyful, sad and surprising moments."--Publishers Weekly, starred review   In this moving autobiography, Lois Lowry explores her rich history through personal photographs, memories, and recall...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Thirteen-year-old Meg and her sister Molly couldn't be more different. Molly is beautiful and popular, and Meg is brainy and introverted. Accepting these differences has always been difficult for Meg. When Molly falls ill, however, Meg must learn not only to accept Molly and her life, but to accept death.

**Description from Amazon: There are things to be afraid of in the woods at the end of Autumn Street. But the year she goes to live in her grandfather's big house—while her father is fighting in World War II—Elizabeth can't put a name to those dark, shadowy fears. But she finds solace in her friendship with Charles, a boy...

**Description from Amazon: "Fun and lighthearted." —Publishers WeeklyA resilient and quirky colony of church mice fears another Great X more than they fear cats. Under the Mouse Mistress Hildegarde’s leadership, a resilient group of church mice save themselves from one danger after another—sometimes by the skin of their...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The beloved, worldwide bestselling creator of The Dot and I Am Human inspires readers of every age to find their own unique path to happy, and to always follow their dreams.

Picture book and creativity guru Peter H. Reynolds's inspirational book is a wonderful gift for graduations, new babies, milestone moments, and any happy occasion throughout the year. Discover a universally poignant celebration of the colorful spectrum of what it means to dream and the many ways to find happy!

**Description from Amazon: JOSEF is a Jewish boy living in 1930s Nazi Germany. With the threat of concentration camps looming, he and his family board a ship bound for the other side of the world . . .ISABEL is a Cuban girl in 1994. With riots and unrest plaguing her country, she and her family set out on a raft, hoping to fi...

**Description from Amazon: Presented as a thoughtful, poetic exchange between two characters -- who don't realize they are thinking and asking the very same questions -- this beautiful celebration of our humanity and diversity invites readers of all ages to imagine a world where there is no you or me, only we.If the first ste...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Eleven-year-old Elijah lives in Buxton, Canada, a settlement of runaway slaves near the American border. He's the first child in town to be born free, and he ought to be famous just for that. Unfortunately, all that most people see is a "fra-gile" boy who's scared of snakes and talks too much.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Benji and Red couldn't be more different. They aren't friends. They don't even live in the same town. But their fates are entwined. A chance meeting leads the boys to discover that they have more in common than meets the eye. Both of them have encountered a strange presence in the forest, watching them, tracking them. Could the Madman of Piney Woods be real?

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This treasury features a special introduction and five full-length picture books—Five Little Monkeys Jumping on a Bed, Five Little Monkeys Bake a Cake, Five Little Monkeys Sitting in a Tree, Five Little Monkeys with Nothing to Do, and Five Little Monkeys Wash the Car.

FROM SARAH:

Jan Brett's storytelling skills are unmatched, and I just love a treasury full of her beautiful, detailed pages that you and your family can linger over! This treasury is out-of-print, but check your local library or secondhand bookstores for a copy.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The fun includes stories of two mice couples who agree to swap homes with unexpected results; an armadillo on a rootin’-tootin’ adventure at the Curly H Rodeo; a crowd of rain-forest animals on a surprising river ride in an umbrella; and a snow bear family finding an Inuit girl asleep in their igloo.

Four stories in this treasury to cherish:
Town Mouse, Country Mouse
Armadillo Rodeo
The Umbrella
The Three Snow Bears

FROM SARAH:

Sometimes a treasury is just the thing. We especially love them when we travel, because we can bring so many stories with us! This collection of Beatrix Potter is worth adding to your own permanent collection.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Ten of Beatrix Potter's most popular tales are brought together in this beautiful jacketed hardcover treasury. The tales trace the life of Beatrix Potter from her first publication of The Tale of Peter Rabbit in 1902 to her later tales, set around her farm, Hill Top.

FROM SARAH:

Richard Scarry's books are those delightful stories that are full of memorable characters and pages that you turn ever-so-slowly! I love the way Scarry books invite fun observation and conversation. This book is out-of-print, but check your local library or secondhand bookstore for a copy!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Featuring Bedtime Stories, The Please and Thank You Book, A Day at the Fire Station, A Day at the Police Station, A Day at the Airport, Nicky Goes to the Doctor plus a bonus section full of fun activities, this is truly a treasury to celebrate, from the one and only Richard Scarry.