REVOLUTIONARY WAR BOOKS Are you looking for some great books for your elementary kids on the Revolutionary War time period? Here are a few of our favorites! (Close up photos in the comments.)

BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE by Kate DiCamillo Well known author, Kate DiCamillo, is a familiar name among children's book readers. As I was pouring over books, making choices for this year's literature class, I realized I had never read Because of Winn Dixie. I picked up a copy and was very quickly pulled into the world of India Opal Buloni otherwise known as "Opal." Opal is an outgoing 10-year-old child, but she has a hole in her heart. Not a physical one, but an emotional one. When she was young, her mother left her and her preacher father and never looked back. Opal wants friends. She wants to belong. She wants to matter. The doors aren't really opening for her until Winn-Dixie comes into her life. Winn-Dixie is a dog that happened to be in a Winn-Dixie grocery store the same day that Opal was shopping for some Mac and cheese, white rice, and 2 tomatoes. When the store manager goes berserk wanting to know whose dog is in the store, Opal steps forward and claims the raggedy stray as her own. What follows is a series of events that allows Opal to become more a part of people's lives around her, and it is all Because of Winn-Dixie. This book is very moving. When stepping into the pages several themes hit the reader square on. Abandonment, saving, responsibility, forgiveness, belonging are a few of them. There are Opals all around each of us waiting for a Winn-Dixie. They don't have to come in the shape of a dog. They can come in human form as well.

BAT AND THE WAITING GAME by Elana K. Arnold. Illustrated by Charles Santoso BAT (Bixby Alexander Tam) is back in this touching sequel, BAT and the Waiting Game. (If you haven't read Elana K. Arnold's first book, A Boy Called BAT, you'll want to start there!) Sweet BAT is autistic. He struggles a bit with changes that can feel out of his control and making friends. Little by little he is gaining ground in both areas as his afternoon routine is interrupted with his sister's play practice and his new friendship with Israel is growing. In fact they're working on a spring project together and Thor, Bat's skunk kit, is at the heart of it all. If you are looking for a squeaky clean series that focuses on overcoming difficulties with a boy and a skunk smack dab in the middle of it all, this is it!

AN APPLE FOR HARRIET TUBMAN by Glennette Tilley Turner. Illustrated by Susan Keeter An Apple for Harriet Tubman by Glennette Tilley Turner is my first fall pick of the year. This is not a new release, but it is new to me! I stumbled across this at our local library a couple months ago, and I promptly bought a copy to have for fall. One of the things that makes this picture book so sweet is that it is a true story! Looking at the Author's Notes at the end, you discover that Tubman's great niece was told this story by Harriet herself who in turn shared it with the author. The second bit of extra sweetness to this book is that we get a different type of experience with Harriet than we typically get in her stories. What do I mean by that? This book focuses on a job that she does as a child, pick and clean apples for her master. She is not allowed to taste them. She greatly desires the apples and one day attempts to eat one and pays a hefty price. She then makes a promise to her future self regarding apples. It is a beautiful and emotional story. Susan Keeter does a marvelous job on the illustrations. You feel as if you are sucked right into Tubman's childhood. ALONGSIDE ACTIVITIES- First there are several Harriet Tubman picture books and chapter books that are wonderful reads. I will include some pictures in the comments! Second how about an apple snack? You can sample different types of apples and determine your favorite, eat caramel apples, apple crisp, apple dumplings, etc. Yum! Yum!

GUTS by Gary Paulsen I have gotten away from doing TOP PICKS, but this book deserves to be on that list. For all of you that have loved Hatchet, Northwind, and all the other Gary Paulsen books, Guts is Paulsen's book of true stories that brought about his well-known, fictional, wilderness adventures. From working as a remote ambulance worker, to running the Iditarod, to encounters with moose, to stories about his poverty-stricken, growing up years, it is very clear how Paulsen is able to craft the stories he does. He's lived them. This book is FANTASTIC if you have a child or teen that loves adventure or the wilderness. HEADS UP- Very minor, but this book is true stories about the wilderness. While not gory, the book deals with death, survival in tough situations, and eating unpalatable things.

THE DAVENPORTS by Krystal Marquis The Davenports by Krystal Marquis is an interesting YA read set in Chicago in 1910. What makes this book so interesting is that it follows the lives of a very wealthy African American family, and it is inspired by a real family in history (see the bottom of this post for more info on the history). Due to the entrepreneurship of William Davenport, founder of the Davenport Carriage Company, the Davenports are a family that live at the top of Chicago's society. Mr. Davenport who had his beginnings as a slave, learned the art of creating the most sought after carriages in society and after making his fortune, quickly joined its ranks. The Davenports have 2 daughters and a son, Olivia, Amy-Rose, and John, whom they have very high hopes for. The three have only known privilege, but as life takes them in different directions they are exposed to politics and the working class. As a result, different dreams and purposes for their lives begin to come to light. While there are historical situations swirled through the story, the majority of it focuses on the love lives of the three Davenport siblings The three are very dedicated to each other, so the twists and turns in the book will keep you a bit on the edge of your seat waiting to know how it will all turn out. The Davenports will leave you in a cliffhanger and yes, it is book one in a series. About the history- William Davenport is loosely based on the real life Charles Richard Patterson. Patterson was born into slavery and through a series of events became the owner of a carriage company, C.R. Patterson and Sons. He had several children, but not much is known about his three daughters. Marquis admits in her Author's Notes that she "wondered what life was like for women in their position." So she created a work of fiction about "examples of representation she wished she had as a teen." In her notes she shares some interesting history about the success of African Americans post Civil War that is not well known. HEADS UP- There are a couple of swear words. (No f bombs). There are a few make out scenes - tongue kissing is normally mentioned in these.

MY OWN LIGHTNING (SEQUEL TO WOLF HOLLOW) by Lauren Wolk My Own Lightning by Lauren Wolk, sequel to Wolf Hollow is a book that takes a little different twist than its predecessor, but still evokes elements that get under your skin. Picking up soon after the ending of Wolf Hollow, Annabelle McBride is still trying to heal from the traumatic events that happened. Staying after school one afternoon to assist her teacher, an unexpected, vicious storm pops up, and Annabelle hurries home as fast as she can. As she reaches the crest of the hill, almost home, the air around her is suddenly charged. (Wolk's description is amazing!) Unexpectedly she is struck by a bolt of lightning so strong it stops her heart. She awakes to someone pounding on her chest, but the darkness keeps the person's identity from being revealed. In the meantime dogs are disappearing around Wolf Hollow. Gone without a trace. A strange man is in the area hunting for one, and somehow, a strange, reclusive father and daughter seem to be tied into the mix somehow. As she hunts for the missing dogs, Annabelle realizes that she has been gifted from the lightning strike with the ability to know what dogs are feeling. This new ability makes her aware that some dogs in the area are being used for some very terrible reasons. In the middle of all of this is Andy Woodberry. Annabelle struggles with how to interact with him after everything that happened in the past. There is no forgetting or pretending about the part he played. Then one day she gets a peek into Andy's home life and the ongoing abuse he deals with. Annabelle realizes that dogs aren't the only things that need rescuing in Wolf Hollow. HEADS UP- SPOILER ALERT This book is squeaky clean but deals with dog fighting, physical abuse, and the death of a person in a train accident. Details are not gory, and while the book does deal with traumatic situations, overall the emotional tone is a step down from Wolf Hollow.

LEWIS AND CLARK STUDY Yesterday I posted on my personal Facebook page that my daughter was making ink and writing with a quill pen because she is studying Lewis and Clark in history. I had 2 people respond with books they love or are currently using in their study of Lewis and Clark. ( Low and behold I had one of them on my shelf, the Heroes of History: Meriwether Lewis, so I pulled it. (Thanks C!) Another friend, recommended a book they really enjoyed, My Name is America: The Journal of Augustus Pelletier . (Thanks V!) I thought I'd show some other great books to add in! I will put peeks in for some of them. We are loving Seaman: The Dog Who Explored the West With Lewis and Clark. This book tells the story of Lewis and Clark's journey, but includes a lot of information about Lewis' dog that traveled with them. This is my third time through it, and it is well done! Included on the picture below are a Historical Map Atlas that shows the Louisiana Purchase boundaries, a book on Nature Journaling (which Lewis and Clark did a lot of), a book on American Wildlife (I showed that with my state study, but it definitely fits right in here as well!), and some fabulous tree identification cards. These cards show so much info about the tree they are handy for any season! So pack up your knapsacks and head off for an exploration whether you live by woods, mountains, plains, ocean, or a park! It's time to explore!

SOME BUGS by Angela Diterlizzi. Illustrated by Brendan Wenzel. Picture Books can be used for all ages, and this fun book, Some Bugs by Angela Diterlizzi, is a perfect example! First thought when you pick this book up is to scoop up a little one to read it to! Since I no longer have little littles in my home, I read it out loud to my husband in the car on the way home from the bookstore. (He had errands to run in town and asked me if I wanted him to drop me off at the bookstore. I think he has been replaced by an alien, but I'm still collecting evidence. He knows what the bill looks like when I leave that store!) Anyway, he loved it! He's a very efficient, orderly type of guy, so if the text rhymes, it's a win in his book! This book is nonstop action words. If you are looking for strong verbs (anybody say IEW), this dandy has you covered! It is a book purely about what bugs DO! Are you about to start an insect unit with your kids NO MATTER THEIR AGE? Grab this book and put a smile on their face before you dig into the nitty gritty. The illustrations are fantastic! Movement abounds on all the pages. Even though the pictures are in a cartoon style, the bugs resemble their true form. In the back of the book is a two page spread showing the bugs with their names in real life. You know you are dealing with someone very creative when asked about what the illustrations are done in and their response is "almost everything imaginable!" Isn't that great? ALONGSIDE ACTIVITIES- Staples at our home are collecting jars, magnifying glasses, butterfly nets, netted butterfly cages, etc. I have very vivid memories of my 5 carrying their equipment and heading off into the field to collect and examine insects. One of my daughters could collect butterflies like you would not believe! We would examine and look them up and then let them go. God's creation is beautiful and the artwork on even the insects is breathtaking! So grab your gear and head out!

SILENT VOICES by Ann Cleeves I love a good murder mystery! I know, it's an oxymoronic statement, but it's true! I tend to get the shakes if I know there's not a good mystery stashed in my TBR pile somewhere. Ann Cleeves' Vera Stanhope is one of my favorite detectives (along with a few others!). Unkept, seemingly scatterbrained, totting a load of childhood baggage, DCI Stanhope has a way of taking a murder in all its puzzle piece glory and piecing it together. Silent Voices is no different. Knowing that it's time to start putting a little effort in getting herself into shape, DCI Stanhope visits a local gym to begin swimming in the mornings. After her swim, she enters the steam room to relax and discovers the body of a woman propped up in the back corner. The woman is Jenny Lister, a social worker who heads up an office in the area that works with parents and their kids in troubled situations. One case in particular still haunts the agency and the caseworker that handled it, Connie Masters. As Vera plunges deep into the heart of the mystery, there are threads both seen and yet to be revealed from the present and the past surrounding these women and that particular case as well as a few other surprises along the way. HEADS UP- There are a handful of swear words. Very minor. Also you know there are some sexual relationships going on, but there are no details.

STATE STUDY I know some of you are morning basket people. This is a state study I began towards the end of the year with the kids last year that we are continuing on this year. We don't do it every day, and our book collection keeps growing that we are using! As the foundation, I am using GeoMatters State Notebook. (I do not receive any compensation. I am only sharing what we are using!) I will include pictures of the extra books that we read alongside with a peek inside BOOKS USING: State Notebook by Geography Matters 50 Adventures in 50 States by Kate Siber. Illustrated by Lydia Hill State Birds by Arthur Singer and Alan Singer State Capitals by Sara Mulvanny Explore America's National Parks by Hannah Bailey. Illustrated by Illustrated by Krista Langlois Explore America's Wildlife by Hannah Bailey, Illustrated by Kitson Jazynka Desk Atlas of the United States by Geography Matters

MRS. FRISBY AND THE RATS OF NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien I am holding my breath as I begin to write this post. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh is probably my all time favorite read. Are you surprised? I can remember reading this book in my elementary years and being so satisfied with the story. I just completed it as a read aloud for my son. Somehow I had missed sharing it with him before this point, so it was time to fix that! There is something so different about reading a book that you loved in your childhood and reading it in your adult years. You have such a completely different point of view. If you have had children that forever changes you and how you look at the world. I will address that in relation to Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh in a moment. The story begins with a sick child. A little mouse named Timothy, son of Mrs. Frisby, is very sick. After consulting with the area "doctor," it is determined that he has pneumonia and needs complete rest for several weeks. The problem is that spring is in the air, and the Frisbys are living in the garden of Mr. Fitzgibbon who will begin plowing soon. Their home is directly in the path of the plow. Fraught with worry about how to solve this dilemma, Mrs. Frisby stops to help a crow who is tangled up and about to be eaten by the Fitzgibbons' cat, Dragon. After freeing him, the crow tells Mrs. Frisby to jump on his back and they fly away to safety. This simple act of kindness is the first step on a journey that requires immense bravery that eventually leads to a special group of rats that live under the rosebush in the Fitzgibbons' yard. These are not ordinary rats. Once upon a time they were caught by NIMH and experimented on. Their capabilities are almost human. If anyone can help Mrs. Frisby, it's them. They tend to be very elusive and secretive, so the question is will they? Initially, when I read this book as a child, I was caught up in the adventure. The book is well crafted, and you really get an understanding of the characters and the storyline. Now, it is still the adventure that speaks to me, but it is one step past that. It's what a mother is willing to do for her child. The book absolutely resonates with the message of a mother's love. It truly is beautiful even though it's told through the eyes of a mouse and rats. How ironic is that for most of us women? ALONGSIDE ACTIVITIES- I finished the book and turned to my son and said, "I already know your next read. It's Tuck Everlasting." Just a hint, but Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH deals with slowing down the aging process. After he closes Tuck Everlasting we're going to discuss Ponce de Leon and the search for the Fountain of Youth. What would it mean to be able to live longer or even forever?