Homeschooling in the News
by Kate Dicamillo, Illustrated by Chris Van DusenReading Level: 4-8 year oldsReviewed by Kathy Mercy Watson: being the story of a pig, a bed, a chase, and some hot buttered toast is another creation from Newbery winner Kate DiCamillo. Serving both as a cute picture book and an early reader, Mercy might be just another …
by Joan Lowery NixonReading Level: Ages 9-12Reviewed by Kathy The Orphan Train Adventures are fictionalized stories based on the Children’s Aid Society’s efforts during the years 1854-1929 to place poor and orphaned children from New York to welcoming families out West. Mrs. Nixon vividly recreates late 19th century, and introduces us to 6 unfortunate children …
by Patrick Sebranek, et alReading Level: High schoolReviewed by Kathy Christopher Paolini, former home-schooled student and author of bestselling Novel Eragon, used this book as one resource to help him learn the craft of writing. Considering his second novel Eldest (release date August 23, 2005), has been neck to neck with “you know who” on …
by Katherine LangrishReading Level: grades 5-8Reviewed by Kathy Troll Fell Is a fine fairy tale of Viking lore, nicely written with a happy ending. Peer Ulffson is recently orphaned and much to his dismay is taken by his wicked, greedy Uncles to slave for them at their mill. His life worsens when he uncovers Uncle …
by Elizabeth George SpeareReading Level: Grades 5-8Reviewed by Kathy Don’t judge a book by its cover! There are no real witches here; only imaginary ones stirred up by wagging tongues, suspicions and ignorance. This historical fiction novel is set in Late 17th century Colonial England, gives a stirring and compelling look into the good and …
Continue reading “The Witch of Blackbird Pond (1959 Newbery Medal Winner)”
by Lloyd AlexanderReading Level: Ages 9+Reviewed by Kathy This brilliant and enduring fantasy series chronicles the adventures of the boy Taran, who matures from humble assistant pig keeper to gallant hero over a series of 5 books. The books in order are: The Book of Three (1964) The Black Cauldron (1965) The Castle of Llyr …
by Dorothy and Thomas HooblerReading Level: Ages 9-12Reviewed by Kathy 14-year-old Seikie, a tea merchant’s son has hopes of one day being a Samurai. Considering Samurai are born, not made, this is virtually impossible. Yet, an unlikely meeting with a “ghost-thief” proves instrumental in bringing Seikie towards a dangerous path that could turn his dreams …
by Ann MartinReading Level: Ages 4-8Reviewed by Kathy I’ve always suspected my dolls were doing sly things behind my back. Now I know they’ve been having parties, story-time, and adventuresome travels. Oh, the busy lives of dolls! The Doll People is Toy story meets The Borrowers, and is a sweet read for any girl who …
by Margaret Peterson HaddixReading Level: Ages 9-12Reviewed by Kathy It’s 1840; or so the children of Clifton village and the book’s readers are lead to believe, till the first plot twist reveals the year is really 1996. Clifton was meant to be a utopia for it’s residents-a secluded, authentic historic village, a safe place to …
by Brian JacquesReading Level: 9-15Reviewed by Kathy Has your family discovered the Redwall books yet? These epic novels have kept our boys busy for over a year. Our introduction to Redwall came when our local PBS station featured the animated series of the same name. The broadcast only last a few short months, and although …
by Ruth Stiles GannettReading Level: 4-8 yearsReviewed by Kathy My Father’s Dragon is a charming story, full of adventure and just the right amount of unpredictability and eccentricity to make this perfect for a 4-6 year old. A resourceful and compassionate boy (Elmer Elevator) travels far to save a baby dragon from being forced to …
Continue reading “My Father’s Dragon (A Newbery Honor book)”
by Jenny NimmoReading Level: Grades 4-6Reviewed by Kathy The first installment of the âChildren of the Red Kingâ fantasy series introduces Charlie Bone, a boy who is gifted or âendowedâ with a supernatural ability to hear photographs speak. The story goes that the Red king, a magician with the power to hypnotize, came to the …
by Lois LowryReading Level: Grade 6+Reviewed by Kathy Don’t even think of reading this book unless you’ve read the prequels-The Giver and Gathering Blue, as this sequel puts pieces of the previous stories together. Messenger proved true to Lowry’s style- haunting and emotionally stirring; a read that gets under your skin and raises questions pertaining …
by Andrew ClementsReading Level: Ages 9-12Reviewed by Kathy If your home-schooled kids are the least bit curious about public school, Lunch money is an excellent tutorial. Have them follow 12 year-old Greg Kenton around Ashworth Intermediate School for a few days and they’ll have a new appreciation for how good they’ve got it! Greg has …
by Patricia C. WredeReading Level: ages 9-12Reviewed by Kathy Sixteen-year-old Cimorene is a stubborn and unconventional princess. Sheâd rather fence, cook, and study Latin than pursue more traditional princess pastimes like dancing, embroidery, drawing, and etiquette. When her parents arrange her marriage to the boring Prince Therandil, she escapes the castle walls, and becomes the …
Continue reading “Dealing with Dragons (Enchanted Forest Chronicles)”
For this family, only home school makes grade GRESHAM — Tamra Orr thinks some kids just don’t belong in school. “School can be a very damaging experience for a lot of kids,” the Gresham resident said. “It’s against their every nature. They want to discover, learn, move. School’s an artificial environment.” So Orr, who moved …
Teen sage is “Seen and Heard” Kyle Williams considers himself a normal Oklahoma 14-year-old with hobbies such as throwing a football, playing the guitar and appearing on CNN to talk about his latest political book. But Williams is far from the average teen-ager. Homeschooled in Guthrie, Williams’ interest in politics has led him to writing …
New book teaches ‘unschooling’ When Medford resident Pat Farenga talks about “unschooling” children, he’s not referring to the recent budget cuts in education. He’s actually talking about homeschooling children in new and creative ways – the subject of his new book, “Teach Your Own: The John Holt Book of Homeschooling.” “Unschooling” is a word coined …