FROM SARAH:

Comic book style depictions of seven of Shakespeare's plays. These are funny and well done. Your library might have this book!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Come wend your way along London’s Thames River to the Globe Theatre, where seven favorite Shakespearean plays are being performed! Marcia Williams brings to life ROMEO AND JULIET, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, JULIUS CAESAR, HAMLET, MACBETH, THE WINTER'S TALE, and THE TEMPESTt, making liberal use of Shakespeare’s rich dialogue.

FROM SARAH:

The Bletchley Riddle is an exciting middle-grade novel about the top-secret WWII location, Bletchley Park. It's based on the true setting of the Allied codebreakers stationed here, doggedly working to decrypt German ciphers, including the elusive Enigma machine. The book is told in alternating viewpoints--from one of the codebreakers, desperate to break Enigma's code, to his intrepid, plucky sister, determined to discover the truth behind their mother's unexplained disappearance. I loved reading this one for myself!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A thrilling mystery and collaboration between award-winning and bestselling authors Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin! This historical adventure follows two siblings at Bletchley Park, the home of WWII codebreakers, as they try to unravel a mystery surrounding their mother’s disappearance.

FROM SARAH:

A Visit to Brambly Hedge by Jill Barklem is an inside peek into the marvelous, cozy world of Brambly Hedge. Full of stories, sketches and archival material, this behind-the-scenes look into one of the beloved landscapes of children's literature, A Visit to Brambly Hedge is a new title that reads like an instant classic.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Immerse yourself in the world of the hedgerow in this collection of unpublished artwork, photos and never-see-before content from the creator of the beloved Brambly Hedge stories.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Discover the amazing true story of Maria Mitchell, America’s first professional female astronomer. Every evening, from the time she was a child, Maria Mitchell stood on her rooftop with her telescope and swept the sky. And then one night she saw something unusual—a comet no one had ever seen before...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When a leak ruins the sacristy wall in his father’s church, Jonathan Jefferson Weeks thinks Christmas Eve service will be ruined. Luckily he and his father find a beautiful tapestry, perfect for covering the damaged wall and giving the church a festive look! But then, an old Jewish woman recognizes the beautiful cloth. Her discovery leads to a real miracle on Christmas Eve.

FROM SARAH:

An astonishingly good book. I don't like it much for a read-aloud as the narrator is Death, and it feels a little off to me to have mama's voice in that character. The audiobook is wonderfully done! Best for teens.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich, who scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This deluxe set includes six classic children’s novels, colorfully designed with textured hardcover binding for a sophisticated, timeless look readers will treasure. Snuggly packaged in a gorgeously illustrated box to make the perfect gift for the holidays, or any time of year. For the young, and the young at heart! Box includes A Little Princess, Anne of Green Gables, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Secret Garden, The Wind in the Willows, and Peter Pan!

FROM SARAH: 

Best for fans of Roald Dahl. I thought this book was laugh-out-loud funny. This one is a Christmas fantasy (secular) that is whimsical and optimistic. If you are looking for something reverent or historically accurate, skip this one. (But your reluctant readers will probably eat this one up!). Available on audio (Audible I Libro.FM).

Recommended for ages 9+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Before there was Santa Claus, there was a young boy who believed in the impossible. . . . Lemony Snicket meets Klaus in this cheeky, Christmas classic-in-the-making that sparkles with wit and warmth!

**Description from Amazon: This sweeping, emotionally-resonant fantasy from beloved author Jessica Day George is perfect for fans of Princess Academy and Black Beauty.

**Description from Amazon: A collection of original, school-themed poetry for children accompanied by striking photos. The book demonstrates a variety of common poetic forms and defines poetic devices.

**Description from Amazon: A dazzling depiction of the connection between diverse readers of all ages and their books, from beloved author-illustrator team Sarah Stewart and David Small. This Book of Mine is a celebration of the power of reading, of the ways in which books launch our adventures, give us comfort, challenge our...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

“It is nighttime and the fathers are coming home.” So begins this lyrical tribute to all the fathers everywhere who come home to their children—from the rabbit father who hops home to his little bunnies, to the dog father who comes home to his puppies.

**Description from Amazon: "A captivating story filled with English charm, luminous wisdom, and astounding spiritual insight"Goudge's singular gift is the depth and insight she brings to her characters. Mary Lindsay is a born and bred Londoner who has enjoyed her city life--a prestigious job, and friends with whom she takes i...

FROM SARAH:

What a vibrant and colorful book in an unusual shape! A charming story about a pear tree in all of its stages. I'm not a huge fan of lift-the-flap books myself, but I know many kids adore them, and this one satisfies. :)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Watch a tiny seed grow through the seasons into a fine pear tree in this beautifully presented first book from artist/illustrator Jenny Bowers. This upmarket lift-flap format, showcasing vibrant artwork with 25 flaps to discover, is teamed with charming text, making this the perfect interactive primer to a key scientific topic.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

This beautifully illustrated collection has been carefully refreshed with its thirty-one classic Christmas carols illustrated by the beloved Tomie dePaola that will be perfect for making the holidays merry and bright.

**Description from Amazon: In his signature style of grand storytelling, James A. Michener transports us back thousands of years to the Holy Land. Through the discoveries of modern archaeologists excavating the site of Tell Makor, Michener vividly re-creates life in an ancient city and traces the profound history of the Jewis...

**Description from Amazon: The little house first stood in the country, but gradually the city moved closer and closer.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Better Together teaches you how to design a part of your homeschool day where the entire family can learn together. This time, known as "Morning Time,” has exploded in popularity since its inclusion in Sarah Mackenzie's bestseller Teaching From Rest. Now homeschool mom and former teacher Pam Barnhill breaks down the practice for every homeschooler.

**Description from Amazon: “I haven't read anything that has moved me this much since Wonder.” —Jennifer Niven, author of All the Bright PlacesA space-obsessed boy and his dog, Carl Sagan, take a journey toward family, love, hope, and awe in this funny and moving novel for fans of Counting by 7s, Walk Two Moons, and...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In this retelling of the old French legend, a juggler offers to the Christ Child the only Christmas gift he has.

From the Publisher:

Claire Kenton believes the world is too dark for magic to be real—since her twin brother was stolen away as a child. Now Claire’s desperate search points to London... and a boy who shouldn't exist.

Peter Pan is having a beastly time getting back to Neverland. Grounded in London and hunted by his own Lost Boys, Peter searches for the last hope of restoring his crumbling island: a lass with magic in her veins.

The girl who fears her own destiny is on a collision course with the boy who never wanted to grow up. The truth behind this fairy tale is about to unravel everything Claire thought she knew about Peter Pan—and herself.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When you hear a riveting story, does it thrill your heart and stir your soul? Do you hunger for truth and goodness? Do you secretly relate to Belle’s delight in the library in Beauty and the Beast?

If so, you may be on your way to being a book girl.

Books were always Sarah Clarkson’s delight. Raised in the company of the lively Anne of Green Gables, the brave Pevensie children of Narnia, and the wise Austen heroines, she discovered reading early on as a daily gift, a way of encountering the world in all its wonder. But what she came to realize as an adult was just how powerfully books had shaped her as a woman to live a story within that world, to be a lifelong learner, to grasp hope in struggle, and to create and act with courage.

She’s convinced that books can do the same for you.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When Enola Holmes, sister to the detective Sherlock Holmes, discovers her mother has disappeared, she quickly embarks on a journey to London in search of her. But nothing can prepare her for what awaits. Because when she arrives, she finds herself involved in the kidnapping of a young marquess, fleeing murderous villains, and trying to elude her shrewd older brothers—all while attempting to piece together clues to her mother’s strange disappearance. Amid all the mayhem, will Enola be able to decode the necessary clues and find her mother?

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

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Performing Miracles. Facing Wild Lions. Confronting Demons. Transforming the World.

From Augustine to Mother Teresa, officially canonized as St. Teresa of Calcutta, discover seventy of the best-known and best-loved saints and read their riveting stories.

Trisha wants to be an artist, so she's thrilled when she gets into Miss Chew's special art class at the high school. But when a substitute teacher tells Trisha she should be spending her time more studiously, Trisha has to stand up for the artist inside her. Based on a true story. Your kids can meet author/illustrator Patricia Polacco at her Author Access video replay in RAR Premium.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Sometimes in London it drizzles. Sometimes it mizzles. Other times it pelts and showers and spits. And Jonas Hanway hates getting wet. How can he go about his day as a proper London gentleman when his shoes are soggy, his coat is always collecting puddles, and his wig looks like a wet cat? Fed up with damp and dreary London, Jonas sails far away, to places where the sun always shines. But what he sees when he gets there is.... scandalous! Shocking! Sensational! Perhaps also...quite genius? Now all Jonas has to do is convince the rest of London that they need an umbrella, too.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When Louisa May Alcott's Little Women was published in 1868 it was an instant success. Louisa drew on her experiences in writing the novel, but there's a lot more to her rags-to-riches story. Louisa came from a family that was poor but freethinking, and she started teaching when she was only seventeen years old. But writing was her passion. This informative biography captures the life of a compassionate woman who left an indelible mark on literature for all ages.

FROM SARAH:

One of Jan Brett's best books. It's the Cinderella story, of course, but Cinderellla is a hen and Prince Cockarel is the handsome rooster. Jan Brett's travels to Russia influenced this stunning book.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

One magical night, Cinders, the most picked upon hen in the flock, becomes the most loved by Prince Cockerel when she arrives at his ball looking so beautiful that even her bossy sisters don't recognize her.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Professional storyteller Patrick Ryan has brought together the stories that are at the heart of seven of Shakespeare's masterpieces.

**Description from Amazon: Collecting some of the most beloved poems of Emily Dickinson, a young reader's anthology includes such pieces as ""There is no frigate like a book,"" ""I'm Nobody,"" and ""The sea said, `come'.""

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Vasya Kandinsky was a proper little boy: he studied math and history, he practiced the piano, he sat up straight and was perfectly polite. And when his family sent him to art classes, they expected him to paint pretty houses and flowers--like a proper artist.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Thanks to her superstitious mother, Esther knows some tricks for avoiding bad luck: toss salt over your left shoulder, never button your shirt crooked, and avoid black cats. But even luck can't keep her family safe from the Great Depression. When Pa loses his job, Esther's family leaves their comfy Chicago life behind for a farm in Wisconsin.

Living on a farm comes with lots of hard work, but that means there are plenty of opportunities for Esther to show her mother how helpful she can be. She loves all of the farm animals (except the mean geese) and even better makes a fast friend in lively Bethany. But then Ma sees a sign that Esther just knows is wrong. If believing a superstition makes you miserable, how can that be good luck?

FROM SARAH:

Follow along as Penelope and her mom make their way to the farmer’s market. Darling. Read this book along with The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street or The Man with the Violin.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

One bright city morning, Penelope and her mom make their way to the farmer's market. On street corners and train platforms, musicians and performers enchant Penelope, speaking to her through their floating, booming notes. The noise of the city keeps the pair moving―until Penelope hears a sound so magical she knows she has to play the instrument that makes it.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

It's time to start your engines in this Richard Scarry classic all about vehicles! Buckle-up for a fun-filled day of planes, trains, automobiles ... and even a pickle truck!

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Narration, the art of telling, has been used as a pedagogical tool since ancient times. Over one hundred years ago, Charlotte Mason methodized narration and implemented it in scores of schools in Great Britain. Over the past few decades, educators in the US, mostly in home schools, have followed her guidelines with outstanding results.

**Description from Amazon: This bewitching first novel is a puzzle, wrapped in a mystery, disguised as an adventure, and delivered as a work of art.Chasing Vermeer joins the Scholastic Gold line, which features award-winning and beloved novels. Includes exclusive bonus content!When a book of unexplainable occurences brings Pe...

FROM SARAH:

I want to give this book to every teenager I know. It's a book that will make you want to hug a mean kid, stare at Audubon paintings, thank a veteran, read Jane Eyre, and get an orchid. Even if you ignore every other book I recommend, read this one. Highly, highly recommended for ages 14+. Meet author Gary Schmidt in the Author Access replay in RAR Premium.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

At once heartbreaking and hopeful, this absorbing novel centers on Doug, 14, who has an abusive father, a bully for a brother, a bad reputation, and shameful secrets to keep. Teachers and police and his relatives think he's worthless, and he believes them, holding others at arm's length.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

An exquisitely illustrated paean to everyone who struggles to learn how to read, and to everyone who won’t give up on them.

**Description from Amazon: When a great white bear promises untold riches to her family, the Lass (as she's known) agrees to go away with him. But the bear is not what he seems, nor is his castle.

FROM SARAH:

If you loved Tuck Everlasting, this savory tale by Natalie Babbit is sure to be your next favorite. It's gentle enough for young listeners but charming enough to engage big kids, too. It might even inspire your own family to hunt for delicious things!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Gaylen, the King's messenger, a skinny boy of twelve, is off to poll the kingdom, traveling from town to farmstead to town on his horse, Marrow. At first it is merely a question of disagreement at the royal castle over which food should stand for Delicious in the new dictionary. But soon it seems that the search for Delicious had better succeed if civil war is to be avoided.

Gaylen's quest leads him to the woldweller, a wise, 900-year-old creature who lives alone at the precise center of the forest; to Canto, the minstrel who sings him an old song about a mermaid child and who gives him a peculiar good-luck charm; to the underground domain of the dwarfs; and finally to Ardis who might save the kingdom from havoc.

**Description from Amazon: A collection of original, United States-themed poetry for children accompanied by striking photos. The book demonstrates a variety of common poetic forms and defines poetic devices.

**Description from Amazon: Miss McGillicuddy's simple country routine continues through-out the year in spite of a very unusual tree growing in her yard.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
The boy has been waiting for this day for many months. It's the day his daddy comes home from overseas. He jumps out of bed and gets ready for the big event. But before going downstairs for breakfast, he takes along something very important: his red balloon. There will be many families and loved ones at the pier. The red balloon will help his father find him among the crowd. But as the ship approaches, the boy loses his grip on the red balloon. Will his daddy find him in the crowd?

**Description from Amazon: From once upon a time to happily ever after, these are the fairy tales everyone knows and loves. Here you will find the princess who kisses a frog, the fairy godmother who changes everything, and the ugly duckling who becomes a graceful swan. Master artist Michael Hague has selected and illustrated ...

FROM SARAH:

One of my very favorites. The slow and sensory-rich experience of reading a book by the Steads is put on display in this book. Just buy it for your permanent collection—you'll be glad you did! RAR Premium members, don't miss the Family Book Club Guide for this one!

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

It was almost winter and Bear was getting sleepy. But first, Bear had a story to tell...Bear found his friend Mouse, but Mouse was busy gathering seeds and didn't have time to listen to a story. Then Bear saw his friend Duck, but Duck was getting ready to fly south ...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

For the youngest member of an exuberant extended family, Sunday dinner at Grannie’s can be full indeed — full of hugs and kisses, full of tasty dishes, full to the brim with happy faces, and full, full, full of love. With a special focus on the bond between little Jay Jay and his grannie, Trish Cooke introduces us to a gregarious family we are sure to want more, more, more of.

**Description from Amazon: On the right side of the law. Sort of.   Sebastian Rudd is not your typical street lawyer. He works out of a customized bulletproof van, complete with Wi-Fi, a bar, a small fridge, fine leather chairs, a hidden gun compartment, and a heavily armed driver. He has no firm, no partners, no associates,...

FROM SARAH:

Perhaps the greatest middle grade novel ever written. Is that too bold a statement? 😆 It doesn't matter how many times you read it, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe simply never disappoints. It's a perfect example of a whole-family read-aloud. I strongly recommend starting the Narnia series with this book and then reading the rest of the series in publication order. Also wonderful on audio (Audible | LibroFM).

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The four Pevensie children are sent to live in a large house in the country, a house with many rooms, which are filled with many things. But one of the rooms is absolutely empty, except for a single piece of furniture: a large wardrobe.

**Description from Amazon: From Newbery honor author Jacqueline Kelly comes Skunked!, a new illustrated chapter book series for younger readers featuring the beloved characters from The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate. In Calpurnia Tate, Girl Vet, Callie Vee, Travis, and Dr. Pritzker help animals big and small.When soft-hearted T...

FROM SARAH:

This is Susan Meissner at her best. I love everything she writes, but in particular, this story explores eugenics through an American girl with Synesthesia and an Austrian girl with physical deformity. It's astounding and unforgettable. Heads-up for one open-door scene that is, in fact, necessary for the story (and handled extremely well by the author). I'd recommend this one for 18+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

California, 1938—When she loses her parents in an accident, sixteen-year-old Rosanne is taken in by the owners of the vineyard where she has lived her whole life as the vinedresser’s daughter. She moves into Celine and Truman Calvert’s spacious house with a secret, however—Rosie sees colors when she hears sound. She promised her mother she’d never reveal her little-understood ability to anyone, but the weight of her isolation and grief prove too much for her. Driven by her loneliness she not only breaks the vow to her mother, but in a desperate moment lets down her guard and ends up pregnant. Banished by the Calverts, Rosanne believes she is bound for a home for unwed mothers. But she soon finds out she is not going to a home of any kind, but to a place that seeks to forcibly take her baby – and the chance for any future babies – from her.

Austria, 1947—After witnessing firsthand Adolf Hitler’s brutal pursuit of hereditary purity—especially with regard to “different children”—Helen Calvert, Truman’s sister, is ready to return to America for good. But when she arrives at her brother’s peaceful vineyard after decades working abroad, she is shocked to learn what really happened nine years earlier to the vinedresser’s daughter, a girl whom Helen had long ago befriended. In her determination to find Rosanne, Helen discovers a shocking American eugenics program—and learns that that while the war had been won in Europe, there are still terrifying battles to be fought at home.

FROM SARAH: 

Easily one of my top favorite picture book biographies! Barb's masterful, lyrical text and Mary's lush illustrations make this an inspiration and delight to share with young readers. RAR Premium members, don't miss our Family Book Club Guide for this one.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Claude Monet is one of the world's most beloved artists--and he became famous during his own lifetime. He rejected a traditional life laid out clean and smooth before him. Instead he chose a life of art. But not just any art: a new way of seeing that came to be called impressionism.

FROM SARAH:

One of Tomie dePaola's many Christmas titles! This one is a sweet take on the heavenly festivities before the celebration of Christ's birth. We're featuring this one in Christmas School 2023. This book is out-of-print and can be difficult to find, but we've received permission to create a read-aloud video for you to access inside Christmas School!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Sometimes the littlest angels can make the biggest difference, as these heavenly creatures find out as they prepare to host the Christmas celebration and manage to remember to provide some much needed starlight to light the darkest night.

**Description from Amazon: What do you do when you’re the new girl at school? If you’re Lissy, you make a friend. A paper friend. And to Lissy’s surprise, her little origami bird opens his eyes and says hello! So she quickly makes more friends. And soon Lissy has more friends than she can count! But what do you do when ...

FROM SARAH:

Quintessential Beatrix Potter, perfect for fall. Every child's bookshself needs this one.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Beatrix Potter's famous tale of a naughty squirrel who loses his tail is as popular today as it was when it was first published over 100 years ago. Join Nutkin, his brother Twinkleberry, and all his cousins as they make their way over to Owl Island to gather nuts. See what happens when Old Brown, the terrifying owl guardian of the island decides he has had enough of silly Nutkin's cheekiness! Ouch!!

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

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

**Description from Amazon: A busy boy and his dog learn to slow down and enjoy life together in this lyrical, rhyming picture book perfect for hurried families everywhere.

FROM SARAH:

This story is epistolary perfection! Perfect for when you're learning about The Great Depression, letter writing, or springtime/gardens. It's one of my all-time favorites.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

It's the Great Depression, Uncle Jim is grumpy, and Lydia Grace is shipped off to live with him. She worries she'll have nowhere to plant her beloved seeds, and she also wonders if she'll ever see Uncle Jim smile. One of my all-time favorites.