Rabbit Day Book Review

On the first of each month, I'm going to try to review the books we read (or at least the ones we read and liked).  Since it is my first review post I'm going to  included a few we read in April as well.

History 
We are currently finishing up our study of Rome with the first 12 chapter of the second book in our history series Discovery of New Worlds by Synge.  I suppose this is as good a time as ever to mention that I prefer this series greatly over the Bauer Story of the World and you can read it free on a number of different sites and devices.

Archimedes and the Door of Science by Bendick was read aloud to the boys by Chris.  Chis and the boys really enjoyed reading this book together.  The book is written in an engaging and often humorous manner.  The content was very detailed but by no means over their heads especially with Chris there to explain and go deeper with each chapter.  As a result, they did limit the reading to one chapter a night which allowed the information to sink in, more questions to develop and increase anticipation of what was to come next.  Its a beautiful mesh of history and science.  I'm going to be adding to of her other books as core the next two semesters of history and science.

Then we got a little off track from our Roman Studies and did a mini study of WWII at the request of Jared.  Luckily I had been working with my friend Brandy to find child safe books about WWII so I had a good head start; I wanted to get everything from the library so I needed to travel down a couple more rabbit holes and peruse the library shelves to find what I wanted.

October '45: Childhood Memories of War by Besson
This book came recommended.  It is simply what it claims to be the honest memories of a seven year old boy living in Paris who grows up during the war.  I suggest this as a parental read aloud because of some his memories may need to be explained.  Specifically, the incident where his priest comes over after their Jewish neighbors are rounded up and explains it away as their punishment for crucifying Christ.  It was(unfortunately is) a view that some have about what happened to the Jews but is clearly un-biblical and needs to be explained/corrected.  That said he also talks about his Jewish friend that returns alive after the war ends and how everyone considered him a hero.  Like I said, it is simply honest memories with no attempts to politicize his thoughts and feelings as a boy and because of that I think kids can really relate; my boys certainly did and I found them re-reading it.

As a comparison to the book above we read three other books in the genre of childhood memories of the war.

The Butterfly by Polacco  Patricia Polacco is one of my favorite children's author/illustrator, so I was excited to find this book.  This is a true live account, like the others, it describes the memories of her aunt of growing up in Natzi controlled France.  Mid story she finds out here mom is in the French resistance when a young Jewish girl shows up in her room late one night.  This books paints the Natzi's as much more sinister than October '45.  It gives a glimpse of the seriousness of the times for children but doesn't go too far for young audiences.  We spent a lot of time after reading this book together contrasting it to October '45.  October '45 is a book about day to day survival and this book is about risking oneself to save strangers.

Passage to Freedom: The Sugihara Story by Mochizuki.  This book centers around a Japanese consulate family in Lithuania that is asked to give the Jews fleeing Poland Visas.   This book is another story of sacrifice but from a completely different angle.  Additionally, this book is beautifully illustrated and we did a really neat art project on perspectives by trying to copy the last page of the book. (Pics on this post*)

The Bracelet by Uchida  This is the final book we read aloud during our mini-WW2 study.  This books a very simple story of a seven year old girl's experience during WW2.  However, it touches on a part of WW2 often overlooked; the Japanese interment camps in the United States.  The afterword gives a bit more history than the story but it is a good stepping off point for discussion, about this event and war in general.

You Wouldn't Want to Explore with Lewis and Clark by Morley  I had been looking for an appropriate book for the boys to read on this subject.  After reading four different accounts, I've decided that, like Daniel Boone, this is a rather dark story.  So when I saw the YWTB book at the library I was thrilled; the boys really like this series.  I knew they would learn what the needed to know to be acquainted with Lewis and Clark without having to read a long dark book.  Yay!  Check that off my list.  That said, even the end of this book mentioned that Lewis most likely committed suicide at 35 which ended up being the chief part of our discussion time after the boys each read the book.

Geography/Social Studies

Paddle to the Sea by Hollings  My children absolutely adore this book.  We read two chapters a week and at each reading they begged for another (which wasn't granted).  The pictures are beautiful, which led to art projects.  The story can serve as a jumping off board to so many other things.  Here is a link with the path mapped out on Google with numerous enrichment activities for each chapter; we used quite a few (the footprint/snow-shoe exercise was a big hit).  Additionally we read the book The Edmund Fitzgerald: Song of the Bell by Wargin after Chapter 14 and compared this sinking to that of the Titanic (of which they've previously read numerous books).  Amazing Erie Canal by Harness is another book that tied in nicely and has beautiful illustrations.

Independent Reading Time

Lance has really learned to enjoy reading, he's going to keep me busy finding new books. Here's what he read this month.

Understood Betsy by Fisher.  This is one of my favorite books.  It is a beautifully written book about what happens when children stop being controlled and are directed in growing up.  It follows the life a little girl who moves from the confined life in the city, to freedom of life in the country.  I was so excited to share it with Lance.  I was even more thrilled when he both enjoyed and related to the characters struggles and adventures.

Lassie Come Home by Knight  This book is on a lot of reading lists but I was a little hesitant having Lance read this alone because of the cruel way the dog is treated at different points in the book.  As it turns out, I had no need to worry.  Lance enjoyed the book; volunteering to compare it Kavik: the Wolf Dog by Morey that he had read and enjoyed this year.

Swallows and Amazons by Ransome  This was a rabbit hole find.  I found nothing negative in any of the reviews I could find so I just did a quick scan and handed the book off to Lance.  The story is about the adventures of a group of children around a lake during summer vacation in the late 1800s.  Lance could not put this book down, every time he got a chance he was off somewhere reading.  At the end of his book report he wrote "I would recommend this book to other kids because its an adventure book with lots of action and they describe everything well."

Farmer Boy by Wilder is the book that Jared read this month.  This is on a lot of reading lists, for good reason.  We started out using the Memoria Study guide but stopped after awhile and just enjoyed the book.  It is such a sweet and well written book about growing up and living on a farm.  After hearing Jared talk about it, Lance wants to read it next.

Jared also got a number of books from the library about the space program.

The man who went to the Far Side of the Moon:  Apollo 11 Astronaut Mike Collins by Uusma  This is a unique book that biographs the feeling of the least known of the Apollo 11 astronauts.  My favorite part of the book is how he stresses his appreciation for being a part of the mission and has no regrets about not being able to land on the moon.  It sets a good example for the boys.  Additionally, it has some interesting pictures and pieces of trivia relating to all the astronauts on Apollo 11.

Godspeed, John Glenn by Hilliard  Jared read this multiple times and from his reading we all learned a bit more including the unique contruction of the rockets not known even by Chris.  This of course led to research and watching some original launch footage on Youtube.  A book that gets us all talking is always a winner.




*This is Jared's and then Titus' interpretation of the train tracks with the paper from the last page of the Passage to Freedom book:

Surprise!

Mae and I had planned their return visit back in January.  At first, we were both keeping it hush-hush from our kids.  Then I found out that she'd let the cat out of the bag but her kids really, really wanted to surprise mine; so the hush-hush I remained.  It wasn't easy as the time approached; many times Chris and I almost slipped but we managed to keep the secret.
 
Chris picked them up from the airport on the way home from work.  He texted me they were around the corner and told me to take kids to the bonus room.  The Parays ducked down in the car so they wouldn't be spied as Chris parked in the garage.  I waited and took this video:

I think that says it all!
   
Mae and I spent the next afternoon touring the area, eating lunch and catching up.  Then Chris took them to dinner at Corbett's.  

The following morning I took the crew for a walk in Hemlock Bluff Reserve.  The weather was beautiful!

Then we re-celebrated Lance's birthday.

For the remainder of time, we adults talked and the kids played; which was exactly what we wanted to do; so we did for four glorious days. 

It rained the day they left; here and in Florida.  I thought it very appropriate, it matched the heavy hearts all around.  In a few days, our hearts lightened at the thought of meeting again soon knowing that a little time and distance doesn't effect the friendship of family.

Life and Science Field Trip

This field trip pushed my comfort zones once again.  The Life Science Museum is in Durham, which means I was going to have to drive 45 min from home by myself into a city I had never been to before - with all four kids.  I'm glad I didn't cave to my fear; it was an awesome trip.

We met a rather large group of kids for the main purpose of the trip was for the older kids to attend a Lego Robotics workshop.  

While Lance and Jared enjoyed the shop, I explored the museum with Titus and Amber.  As it turned out they were having a hands-on lab right outside the workshop which was open to all kids, even Amber!

They donned their safety gear and got to work. The analyzed water samples and learned about a pond's ecosystem.

I was amazed at how child friendly the people working the lab were.  They were very excited to teach both Amber and Titus, not put out a bit.  Conveniently, both labs ended about the same time and we were then free to explore the rest of the museum; inside and out.

The kids needed to run around so we went out to the playground for a bit and then off to petting zoo. 

About 1pm, we had to leave to be back home in time to watch our neighbor's son.
It's a fascinating museum worthy of much more of our time another day, especially when the train is running in the spring.

Lancelot Turns Eleven

Words always seem to be slow in coming when it comes to writing my birthday post for Lance. I think it's because to write the post is to accept that my oldest son is yet a year older and closer to being a man.  I do miss the child but I do not lament his growing older for I understand there is a time for everything.

In one year he will officially be a young man and I can already see he is going to be wonderful one at that.

He is a knight in shinning armor; in-training.  Rough and Tumble; yet gentle at heart.  Champion to our family damsel (his little sister).  Loyal brother, quick to point out any injustice and growing in strength each day.

He is lover of all God has created, enjoying the quiet pleasures of  sitting, watching and observing the world around; its animals and plants.

He is creative.  He writes plays and he builds extensive Lego models.  He prefers pencil drawing to color. He likes to help cook and he is quite the pianist.

He is very, very, very very active; willing to play any game or sport.  He also enjoys taking off on his own for bike rides for both exercise and to clear his mind; a good life skill.

I pray that we are preparing him well to fight the good fight gallantly along side his brothers, should such a day come.  To use his great skills as a leader to champion whatever cause God lays at his feet.  We love you Lance more than you could ever imagine.

Book Lists of a Book Addict

I am a self assessed book addict with no interest in curing my addiction.  I have friends with the same addiction and our husbands roll their eyes when we get together knowing at some point the conversation will get back to books.

That said, I do try to temper my addiction from being too expensive by getting books from the library as much as possible.  The only down side to this approach is that the books are not on my shelves.  Therefore, when it comes time to find books for my younger children I can't just grab them and must use by faulty memory to remember what my older children enjoyed at their age.

To alleviate this problem and to share with friends the books we have enjoyed, I have created the "Book Lists" page above.  If you're a book addict like me, visit it frequently as I will be updating it frequently and probably tweaking the organization from time to time, and adding some book reviews. Enjoy!