Jocasta Carr Movie Star
 | author: Roy Gerrard rating:  asin: 0374437777 binding: Paperback list price: $4.95 USD amazon price: $4.95 |
The Mysterious Benedict Society
An unusual tale of adventure and teamwork. We listened to the audio book, which is about 13 hours long. Our girls both give it 5 stars.
 | author: Trenton Lee Stewart rating:  asin: 0316003956 binding: Paperback list price: $6.99 USD amazon price: $12.95 USD |
"Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?"
When this peculiar ad appears in the newspaper, dozens of children enroll to take a series of mysterious, mind-bending tests. (And you, dear reader, can test your wits right alongside them.) But in the end just four very special children will succeed. Their challenge: to go on a secret mission that only the most intelligent and resourceful children could complete. To accomplish it they will have to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where the only rule is that there are no rules.
As our heroes face physical and mental trials beyond their wildest imaginations, they have no choice but to turn to each other for support. But with their newfound friendship at stake, will they be able to pass the most important test of all?
Welcome to the Mysterious Benedict Society.
Tintin in Tibet
Because we were learning about China and Tibet in our history studies recently, our book (Story of the World) recommended reading TinTin in Tibet. I had never heard of Tintin, but my husband had and he was excited for us to start. I read the book in one sitting (60 min) and both girls loved it so much that the next day they asked me to read it again! So I read our first graphic novel again. When I had to split it into 2 sittings, Laurel picked it up and read a little bit out loud to Ella, which was so wonderful to see. I had no idea how funny this book would be! We all laughed a lot.... and learned a lot too. It's really neat how they work in a lot about the country and the culture.
 | author: Herge rating: asin: 1405206314 binding: Paperback list price: $11.15 USD amazon price: $11.52 USD |
Journeying through the Himalayas in search of their Chinese friend Chang, whose plane crashed, Tintin and his faithful canine companion come face to face with the Abominable Snowman.
Kirsten: An American Girl : 1854 (The American Girls Collection/Boxed Set)
We all really enjoyed this book about Kirsten. Learning history through these gentle American Girls stories is wonderful, and our girls are so interested in the stories as well as all the facts at the end of the book.
 | author: Janet Beeler Shaw rating: asin: 0937295760 binding: Paperback list price: $39.95 USD amazon price: $26.37 USD |
Sir Cedric Rides Again
 | author: Roy Gerrard rating: asin: 0575037520 binding: Hardcover |
The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles
 | author: Julie Andrews Edwards rating: asin: 0060218053 binding: Hardcover list price: $16.99 USD amazon price: $16.99 USD |
The Whangdoodle was once the wisest, the kindest, and the most extraordinary creature in the world.Then he disappeared and created a wonderful land for himself and all the other remarkable animals -- the ten-legged Sidewinders, the little furry Flukes, the friendly Whiffle Bird, and the treacherous, "oily" Prock. It was an almost perfect place where the last of the really great Whangdoodles could rule his kingdom with "peace, love and a sense of fun"-- apart from and forgotten by people.
But not completely forgotten. Professor Savant believed in the Whangdoodle. And when he told the three Potter children of his search for the spectacular creature, Lindy, Tom, and Ben were eager to reach Whangdoodleland.
With the Professor's help, they discovered the secret way. But waiting for them was the scheming Prock, who would use almost any means to keep them away from his beloved king.
Russian Fairy Tales (Everyman's Library Children's Classics)
This collection of classic Russian fairy tales is fascinating. Expect this book to be as violent as other classic fairy tales, complete with witches that threaten to eat you if you don't do her chores, heros that get cut up in pieces but somehow come back to life, evil step mothers and step sisters are burnt to ashes from a glowing skull, and so on. There aren't too many pictures, but the ones they do have are exquisite. This was a favorite of our (then) 5 year old, who was particularly fond of the tale "Vassilissa the Beautiful and the Witch Baba Yaga", which I think I've read over a dozen times.
 | author: Gillian Avery Ivan Bilibin rating: asin: 0679436413 binding: Hardcover list price: $14.95 USD amazon price: $14.95 USD |
Notable for their magnificent, jewel-like color illustrations by Bilibin, these traditional tales include "The Frog Princess," "Vassilissa the Beautiful," and "The White Duck." Though Russian Fairy Tales in the Pantheon Folklore Library is a book for adults, it has sold over 30,000 copies.
My America: Our Strange New Land, Elizabeth's Jamestown Colony Diary, Book One
Elizabeth is 9 years old and has just arrived in Jamestown with 4 ships full of pilgrims - 5 other ships were lost in the hurricane. She begins her diary and tells the tale of the first 2 months, gathering food, meeting Native Americans - including Pocahontas. This book was interesting and a little scary - a lot of people get summer sickness and die, none of Elizabeth's family dies but her friends do. There is a burial every day near the end, so many people are dying. Elizabeth's mother is pregnant and spends 2 days in labor where Elizabeth worries about her and wonders if the baby will be born dead. However, the diary ends on a good note, the baby is healthy and everyone in her family is well.
 | author: Patricia Hermes rating:  asin: 0439368987 binding: Mass Market Paperback list price: $4.99 USD amazon price: $4.99 USD |
In May 1607, three ships sailed up the James River in Virginia. In the riverbank marshes, they made land and hung the flag England¹s flag establishing the first permanent English colony in Jamestown Virginia. In 1609, the first ship carrying women and children arrived. After 71 days at sea, nine-year-old Elizabeth Baker is thrilled to be on dry land. Lizzie keeps a diary for Caleb, her twin brother who stayed in England because of his weak lungs. In her buoyant entries, Lizzie tells of the abundant forests, trading with and learning from the Indians, and adventures with her new friends.
Thunder Cake
 | author: Patricia Polacco rating: asin: 0698115813 binding: Paperback list price: $7.99 USD amazon price: $7.99 USD |
Baba Yaga and Vasilisa the Brave
Our (then) 5 year old wants to hear the story of Vasilisa again and again. It's a harsh fairy tale, with wicked stepmothers and witches that eat people. But the beautiful Vasilisa gracefully triumphs, all because of her (dead) mother's love contained in a magical doll.
 | author: Marianna Mayer rating: asin: 0688085008 binding: Hardcover list price: $17.99 USD amazon price: $12.23 USD |
Sweet, lovely Vasilisa lives with her jealous stepmother and stepsisters on the edge of a dark forest inhabited by the evil witch Baba Yaga. One night the stepmother sends Vasilisa to visit Baba Yaga, an errand from which the gentle girl has little chance of returning alive. "An engaging text and accomplished paintings set this version apart....A stylized and classy offering."--School Library Journal.
