Books

FROM SARAH:

This book is hard to describe, but easy to love — especially if you read it knowing that the author died of cancer not long after its publication. A poignant, joyous, easy-to-read romp that will help you fall in love with ordinary life.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Ten years after her beloved, groundbreaking Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life, #1 New York Times bestselling author Amy Krouse Rosenthal delivers a book full of her distinct blend of nonlinear narrative, wistful reflections, and insightful wit. It is a mighty, life-affirming work that sheds light on all the ordinary and extraordinary ways we are connected.

FROM SARAH:

Some of us are more enthusiastic about starting than we are about finishing. 🙋🏼‍♀️ If that's you, read this book.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

If you’re tired of being a chronic starter and want to become a consistent finisher, you have two options: You can continue to beat yourself up and try harder, since this time that will work. Or you can give yourself the gift of done.

FROM SARAH:

I keep revisiting this book, over and over. It's full of nuggets that apply to your work, no matter what you do (there's so much crossover potential with homeschooling). The audiobook is especially well done! (Audible | LibroFM)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Based on the breakthrough Akimbo workshop pioneered by legendary author Seth Godin, The Practice will help you get unstuck and find the courage to make and share creative work. Godin insists that writer's block is a myth, that consistency is far more important than authenticity, and that experiencing the imposter syndrome is a sign that you're a well-adjusted human. Most of all, he shows you what it takes to turn your passion from a private distraction to a productive contribution, the one you've been seeking to share all along.

FROM SARAH:

One of my favorite reads of 2019. We even talked to the author in RAR Premium's Mama Book Club!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A vibrant, imaginative read, this book pulls back the curtain to illuminate Madeleine L'Engle's creative journey, her persevering faith, and the inspiring, often unexpected ways these two forces converged.

FROM SARAH:

This book blew me away, and I couldn't stop thinking about it for weeks afterward. Inspiring and encouraging. A secular book with the fingerprints of Jesus all over it. I probably wouldn't hand this one to under-18's.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Shakespeare professor and prison volunteer Laura Bates thought she had seen it all. That is, until she decided to teach Shakespeare in a place the bard had never been before — supermax solitary confinement. In this unwelcoming place is Larry, a convicted murderer with several escape attempts under his belt and a brilliantly agile mind on his shoulders.

FROM SARAH:

Susan Meissner is my favorite author, hands-down. If she writes it, I read it! This is one of my favorites. Best for ages 16+, I think.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Los Angeles, 1938. Violet Mayfield sets out to reinvent herself in Hollywood after her dream of becoming a wife and mother falls apart, and lands a job on the film-set of Gone With the Wind. There, she meets enigmatic Audrey Duvall, a once-rising film star who is now a fellow secretary. Audrey’s zest for life and their adventures together among Hollywood’s glitterati enthrall Violet...until each woman’s deepest desires collide.

FROM SARAH:

Of all of Sally Clarkson's books, this remains my favorite. It was the book I needed when I was drowning (and yes, desperate) with six young kids, three of them age 1 and under. I both read it and listened to the audio version.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Desperate is for those who love their children to the depths of their souls but who have also curled up under their covers, fighting back tears, and begging God for help. It’s for those who have ever wondered what happened to all their ideals for what having children would be like. For those who have ever felt like all the “experts” have clearly never had a child like theirs. For those who have prayed for a mentor. For those who ever felt lost and alone in motherhood.

FROM SARAH:

This was the first novel I read by Ann Patchett, and I just loved it. It surprised me, and I found myself copying random passages in my reading journal, just because the author has such a way of crafting beautiful sentences!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Since their mother's death, Tip and Teddy Doyle have been raised by their loving, possessive, and ambitious father. As the former mayor of Boston, Bernard Doyle wants to see his sons in politics, a dream the boys have never shared. But when an argument in a blinding New England snowstorm inadvertently causes an accident that involves a stranger and her child, all Bernard Doyle cares about is his ability to keep his children—all his children—safe.

FROM SARAH:

I've got a thing for business books, and this is one of my favorites. There are a lot of crossover concepts here for homeschooling, as well!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

With its straightforward language and easy-is-better approach, Rework is the perfect playbook for anyone who's ever dreamed of doing it on their own. Hardcore entrepreneurs, small-business owners, people stuck in day jobs who want to get out, and artists who don't want to starve anymore will all find valuable inspiration and guidance in these pages. It's time to rework work.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

At the age of thirty-six, on the verge of completing a decade's worth of training as a neurosurgeon, Paul Kalanithi was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. One day he was a doctor treating the dying, and the next he was a patient struggling to live. And just like that, the future he and his wife had imagined evaporated. When Breath Becomes Air chronicles Kalanithi's transformation from a naïve medical student into a patient and new father confronting his own mortality.

FROM SARAH:

A light and funny Victorian murder mystery. I'm a huge fan of Julie Berry's work. I listened to this one, as it's read by one of my very favorite narrators: Audible or LibroFM.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

There's a murderer on the loose--but that doesn't stop the girls of St. Etheldreda's from attempting to hide the death of their headmistress in this rollicking farce.
The students of St. Etheldreda's School for Girls face a bothersome dilemma. Their irascible headmistress, Mrs. Plackett, and her surly brother, Mr. Godding, have been most inconveniently poisoned at Sunday dinner. Now the school will almost certainly be closed and the girls sent home--unless these seven very proper young ladies can hide the murders and convince their neighbors that nothing is wrong.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

In Henry Cole’s vivid wordless picture book Spot, the Cat, readers joined Spot on a journey through a city that began with him following a bird outside his window.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In this black-and-white picture book highlighted with robin’s egg blue, the reader will follow two robins as they build a nest with twigs and grass. Then mother robin lays four beautiful blue eggs and will keep the eggs warm in the nest until they hatch into four baby robins.

FROM SARAH:

For birders and historical enthusiasts who also have a soft spot for storybook rodents (⬅️ that's me!). This is a delightful novel with Henry Cole's marvelous illustrations.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Beautifully illustrated with hundreds of black-and-white drawings, A Nest for Celeste is a short novel that tells the story a mouse living in the 1800s and his friendship with John James Audubon’s young apprentice.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Bear is getting ready for a long winter nap when his friends come "KNOCK KNOCK" knocking! A hilarious tale from bestselling author Tammi Sauer and bestselling illustrator Guy Francis.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

What happens when you expect an itty-bitty kitty . . . but get a lion instead?

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Princess Viola is great at skateboarding and karate-chopping, but she’s lousy at the royal wave, walk, and waltz. The king and queen are not pleased. What’s a princess to do? Attend the skill-polishing Camp Princess, of course.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

When the time comes for Bernadette to go to Monster Academy, she's just a teensy bit nervous. Her classmates just don't understand her. They'd rather uproot trees than sing friendship songs. And they prefer fried snail goo to Bernadette's homemade cupcakes with sprinkles. Can Bernadette find a way to make friends at school and still be herself?

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Dot is a little chicken, who is, let’s face it, a little chicken. Can she find a way to pluck up her courage?

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Tammi Sauer and Dan Santat have whipped up a giddy, goofy romp where cows fly over the moon, ducks surf in a water trough, and one very familiar-looking rooster gets all shook up!

FROM THE PUBLISHER

When a little boy meets a stranded alien child, the two instantly strike up a fabulous friendship. They go to school, explore the neighborhood, and have lots of fun. But at bedtime, the alien suddenly grows very, very sad. Can the boy figure out what his new buddy needs most of all?

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The scarecrow from Old Mac Donald’s farm emcees a barnyard theater production that collapses into hilarious chaos in this rollicking rendition of “The House That Jack Built.”

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In the deep ocean, tiny Nugget and big, toothy Fang get along swimmingly--until Nugget's first day of minnow school. There Nugget learns that minnows are supposed to be afraid of sharks! To regain Nugget's trust, Fang takes desperate (and hilarious) measures.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Young Lentil wants to learn to sing, but no matter how hard he tries he can’t sing on key, so Lentil learns to play the harmonica instead. When Old Sneep stops the welcoming parade in its tracks, Lentil’s music turns out to be just what the city of Alto needs.

FROM SARAH:

My favorite book on habits or goals. Accessible, encouraging, and full of practical tips. Available on audio (Audible | LibroFM).

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving--every day. James Clear, one of the world's leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A homing pigeon teams up with a parrot and their humans to investigate an animal crime spree in this action-packed, illustrated detective story from Henry Cole.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When their principal is running late, all members of Hardy School must work together to keep things running smoothly!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

From the beloved illustrator and author of A Nest for Celeste comes Brambleheart, a beautiful tale about nature, imagination, and how love is the greatest thing we build. With stunning black-and-white artwork and a gorgeous package, Henry Cole’s animal fantasy adventure harkens back to Brian Jacques’s Redwall and Avi’s Poppy series.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In Henry Cole’s beautifully illustrated sequel to Brambleheart, reminiscent of Brian Jacques’s Redwall and Avi’s Poppy series, Twig’s fantastical adventures continue as he and his animal friends set sail to reunite Char with his dragon family.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Celeste is hundreds of miles from home following an unexpected journey aboard a Mississippi steamboat. After mishaps and disasters, she finds herself on the frontier in southern Indiana. It's 1822, and Celeste meets a tall, lanky boy wielding an ax: a young Abraham Lincoln.

The journey reveals the harsh realities of frontier life for the Lincoln family. But with the help of Celeste’s new woodland animal friends and some creativity, she may just prove that even the littlest creatures can make a big difference. And it’s in losing her way that Celeste finds herself in a place she never expected—home, finally.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In this humorous and heartfelt novel from Newbery Medal-winning author Beverly Cleary, the bond between a boy and his dog proves strong, as Henry vows to stick up for Ribsy…even if he is a trouble-maker!

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The Art of Ramona Quimby celebrates the artists behind Beverly Cleary's inimitable Ramona Quimby series.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Told in her own words, A Girl from Yamhill is Newbery Medal–winning author Beverly Cleary’s heartfelt and relatable memoir.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Newbery Medal–winning author Beverly Cleary's final book in the Ramona series has all of the warmth, realism, and humor of its predecessors.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Newbery Medal-winning author Beverly Cleary charms readers with yet another lovable character—Socks, a jealous cat who must learn to share his owners with their new baby.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Spunky Emily Bartlett lives in an old farmhouse in Pitchfork, Oregon at a time when automobiles are brand-new inventions and libraries are a luxury few small towns can afford. Her runaway imagination leads her to bleach a horse, hold a very scary sleepover, and feed the hogs an unusual treat. But can she use her lively mind to help bring a library to Pitchfork?

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The one and only Ramona Quimby invites children to start their very own journal, filled with exquisitely illustrated spreads, plenty of space to write out feelings, and tons of fun activities that will help them learn more about themselves!

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The story of Jesse Owens comes alive for young readers with Carole Boston Weatherford's award-winning free verse poetry. Eric Velasquez tackles this challenging subject with the use of pastels for the first time in twenty years-a technique that is both heart-stopping and immediate.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Imagine that you are an outstanding baseball player but banned from the major leagues. Featuring lively verse, fascinating facts, and archival photographs, this is a celebration of the Negro Leagues and the great players who went unrecognized in their time.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Wendell O. Scott made history as the only black driver to win a race in a NASCAR Grand National (now Spring Cup) division. Eric Velasquez’s illustrations and Carole Boston Weatherford’s rhythmic text illuminate the story of a man who worked full-time while racing on the side. A man who married, raised six children, and educated all of them.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In this second volume in the Gilgamesh trilogy, Enkidu joins Gilgamesh in the quest to slay Humbaba, the monster who has attacked the city and caused great destruction, including the death of the beautiful singer, Shamat.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In his final quest, Gilgamesh, still mourning the death of his dear friend Enkidu, sets out to find the key to immortality.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Toast a marshmallow, be a tree in winter, read braille — Paul B. Janeczko and Richard Jones invite you to enjoy an assortment of poems that inform and inspire.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Through gently humorous text and charming illustrations, Alice and Martin Provensen capture one year at their beloved Maple Hill Farm in a way sure to delight city slickers and country folk alike.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Describes life in a big city and on a farm near a village.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In a compelling narrative that introduces historical and contemporary research on self-directed education, Unschooled also spotlights how a diverse group of individuals and organizations are evolving an old schooling model of education.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In The Power of Habit, award-winning business reporter Charles Duhigg takes us to the thrilling edge of scientific discoveries that explain why habits exist and how they can be changed.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In a world marred by light pollution, this quest for true darkness is a clarion call to turn out the lights—so that all may see.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Math meets metaphor in this eye-opening exploration of spring. Each clever equation is a tiny, perfect poem that prompts readers to look at the ordinary and see the miraculous.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Beverly Cleary's Newbery Honor Book depicts an average middle-class family dealing with the realities of life. With the perfect mix of humor and warmth, Ramona Quimby shines as a spirited girl with her heart set on helping.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Told in her own words, My Own Two Feet is Newbery Medal–winning author Beverly Cleary’s second heartfelt and relatable memoir.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The Florida Everglades are made up of nine different ecosystems supporting an astonishing variety of wildlife―panthers, manatees, snails, frogs, and a rainbow of bird species. But for years, the Everglades were threatened. They needed a voice to speak up for them. Marjory Stoneman Douglas became that voice.

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.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Organized as a dictionary, each entry presents a word related to creating a better world, such as ally, empathy, or respect. For each word, there is a poem, a quote from an inspiring person, a personal anecdote from the authors, and a "try it" prompt for an activity.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Classic verses about love and jealousy, friendship and betrayal, politics and ambition, and the complexity of human life. William Shakespeare’s verses—illustrated in remarkable paintings—encourage, fascinate, provoke laughter, and inspire deep feelings in readers.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Katherine Rundell - Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, and prize-winning author of five novels for children - explores how children's books ignite, and can re-ignite, the imagination; how children's fiction, with its unabashed emotion and playfulness, can awaken old hungers and create new perspectives on the world.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Despite fierce prejudice and abuse, even being beaten to within an inch of her life, Fannie Lou Hamer was a champion of civil rights from the 1950s until her death in 1977.

FROM SARAH:

A little like Jane Austen, a little like Mitford, a little like Anne of Green Gables. I listened to this while walking my dog and lost count of how often I burst out laughing. The characterization alone is enough to keep you riveted! Highly recommended for mamas who need to get swept up into a good story. (Audible | LibroFM).

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Barbara Buncle is in a bind. Times are harsh, and Barbara's bank account has seen better days. Maybe she could sell a novel . . . if she knew any stories. Stumped for ideas, Barbara draws inspiration from her fellow residents of Silverstream, the little English village she knows inside and out. To her surprise, the novel is a smash. It's a good thing she wrote under a pseudonym, because the folks of Silverstream are in an uproar!

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Little explorers can travel the world thanks to Richard Scarry! With 33 stories featuring fun-filled stops in New York, Paris, Tokyo, Egypt, Australia, and more, this worldwide adventure of discovery will have children ready to pack their bags and visit those international Busytowns!

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Down in the big construction site, all of the favorite trucks are back facing their biggest job yet and will need the help of new construction friends to get it done. Mighty, Mighty Construction Site teaches kids that when working as a team, even a big job seems small!