Christmas Books

One of our favorite Christmas traditions is reading Christmas books together.    I wrap the books and place them in a basket.   Starting on the first of December the girls take turns opening them each night before bed.  We then snuggle in and read the books.   They have a game where they try to find The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and The Twelve Days of Christmas.    Much celebrating ensues when one of those books are opened.    

Some of our other favorites are:

• The Story of Holly and Ivy
• Twas the Night Before Christmas
• Christmas Day in the Morning
• Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
• The Legend of the Poinsetta
• The Nutcracker 

I love Christmas traditions.   What are some of yours?

Rascal

Our most recent book club choice was Rascal by Sterling North.  Nick read this book to Hermoine when she was six or seven, but it's one of those that isn't a hardship to repeat.    It's about a boy in the early 1900's who finds and tames a raccoon.   We all really loved it and the girls did a lapbook on raccoons to go along with it each night while I read.   I had initially printed up the lapbook for Ramona, but Hermoine asked for one as well.    Homeschoolshare.com is a fantastic site for free printables including lapbooks.   This is the link for the one we used.   Below are some snapshots of the girls' lapbooks. 

Our next book club choice is The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo.   I can't wait!

Used Book Sale

My sister and I try to hit every Library book sale we can.  It's something we love to do together and we spend a couple of hours picking through the selection together and trying to find great copies of the titles we want.   We went to one of the smaller area sales this morning and this is what I walked away with:

That would be 47 books for $18.25!

I have the following rules for book sales simply because it's so easy to let myself get out of control:   

• I only pick up books in good shape.   No torn covers, falling out pages or marked up books.
• I go with lists of things we want.   I don't buy books I know we won't read.
• I always allow myself to "upgrade" a book.  For example, this morning I bought copies of Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice for .75 cents a piece.  They are nice hardbacks with gold leafing and I bought them because I knew they would look great on shelves.   The copies I had of these books before will be donated to our library so they can raise money at their next book sale. 

Book Recommendations

 Some recent reads that are well worth the time.   Recommended ages are my opinions only and are based on subject matter and vocabulary.

Number the Stars

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

Ages 10+  This is a story of a girl, her family, and how they try to get her Jewish friend into hiding during the Holocaust.  This book really touched my 11 year old and sparked some great discussion.   When I read this about a year ago, I immediately added it to her literature pile.  It took awhile for her to choose it, but I knew when she did that it would be a powerful reading experience for her.  I wasn't wrong. 

The Star of Kazan

 The Star of Kazan by Eva Ibbotson

Ages 7+  The rags to riches story of an orphan, a kidnapping, a miserable boarding school, stolen jewels, and the power of family.   We did this as a read-aloud during the summer and loved it.   We've read a handful of books by Ibbotson and they have all impressed me.

The Long Winter

The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Ages 6+  The story of the Ingalls family during a long hard winter in the town of DeSmet, South Dakota.  This was my series growing up.   The books that I read so much that the covers were held on with tape.   The Long Winter was my second favorite book of all the Little House books, and still is.   When I became a parent, I read and re-read this series aloud to both of my girls.   My 11 year old enjoyed them, but my 9 year old loves them.   She's listened to me read them, listened to them on audio and is now working through the series for literature.    You can never go wrong with any of the Little House books!

And, just for fun:

How to Train Your Dragon

How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell

Ages 5+   The story of Hiccup, the viking, and his dragon.   According to my girls, the books are nothing like the movie.   My 9 year old started reading these and talked about them so much that my 11 year old, and their 10 year old cousin, got hooked on the series.   These would appeal to any child with a sense of humor, particularly boys.   My 9 year old is anxiously awaiting the 8th installment, due out in November.