I know, you’re probably thinking, “What in the world are these Who Was books she’s going on about, and why is she addicted to them?” Welllllll, the collection also includes What Was and Where Is and What is the Story Of books too. It is a series of over 250 books dedicated to the most important people, events and places in world history and culture, right up to present times.

What kinds of topics are there?

Some examples include “Who Was Cleopatra,” “What Was The Boston Tea Party,” and “Where Is Easter Island.” Plus a WHOLE lot more ranging in topics from scientists to artists to athletes to wonders of the world–all significant in understanding the world.

I’ve added several to our shelves this year, but I started my collection several years ago. I love them because they teach important things about the world in a way that’s easy for kids to understand.

Each book is solely focused on the topic at hand–though they do include extra information that is relevant to the time and place that helps explain the person or thing or place. For example, “What is the Constitution,” gives a brief history of what was happening at the time, and what led up to the creation of the Constitution. Then it talks about some of the men who wrote it and how it was ratified and became the law of the United States of America.

Who are they for?

Whenever there is a person or a topic I think my kids should know about, I have them read one of these books. Written at about a 2nd or 3rd grade level, depending on the child, they’re great to read together or alone. The print is pretty large, and there are lots of pictures. Each book is broken up into chapters and runs about 70-90 pages depending on the topic. And adult can read one in about an hour, maybe two.

As we study each home school unit, I gather all of the books pertaining to our unit and include them in our reading. For example, right now we’re studying space, so I’ve added these to our reading list:
Where is Our Solar System
Who is Neil Armstrong
Who is Sally Ride
Who is Galileo
What is NASA

When we did our American Government Unit, I included
What Was the Boston Tea Party
What Was the Declaration of Independence
What Was the Constitution
Who Was Thomas Jefferson
Who Was Alexander Hamilton
Who Was Benjamin Franklin
What is a Presidential Election
Who Was Martin Luther King Jr.
Who Was Rosa Parks
Who Was Harriet Tubman
What Was the Underground Railroad
What Was the March on Washington

Whew…that was A LOT!
The kids (and I) learned soooooo much! They really made the things we were learning in our lessons stand out, while giving all of our topics even more context.
I am not going to list all of the books we’re going to be reading during our Europe Unit, or the ones we read for North America, because that would be even longer, but you can check out the full list at the Who HQ.

And, like I said before, they aren’t just history books. They cover popular bands like The Rolling Stones, authors like J.K. Rowling and artists like Dr. Seuss.

If you want easy to read chapter books that cover important subjects in pop culture, history and geography, I can not recommend these books enough!

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I love to gather my kids up on the couch with blankets and hot cocoa and dive into a good story; well, at least I did when they were younger. But, once kids age past picture books, but aren’t yet old enough for teen or adult fare, it seems there aren’t a whole lot of options unless you’re into Goosebumps…which my 7 year old is not.

That’s why I was super excited to stumble upon the Witches of Orkney series by Alane Adams. This is a prequel series for fans of Legends of Orkney. It’s about witches, obviously, can get you into the spirit of the season, and is perfect for middle-grade kids between 7-12. Younger kids will probably need to be read to, but older kids could tackle it on their own.

Ok, so what’s it about? Well, I’m glad you asked.

The first book is The Blue Witch. It introduces us to Abigail, an orphaned witchling, (young witch) who is starting her first year at Tarkana Witch Academy.

She wants to be a great witch, but she faces bullies and struggles to find friends. An even bigger problem–she’s going to fail out of school if her magic powers don’t show up soon.

In her quest to fit in, things don’t always go as planned, and she isn’t immune to influences that do not have her best interests at heart.

You can listen to/watch the author read the entire book, chapter by chapter, on her YouTube channel. It’s a fun way for kids to listen and each video auto plays into the next.

Book 2, The Rubicus Prophecy picks up where the first book leaves off.

Abigail is starting her 2nd year at Tarkana academy, taking her classes, trying to resist an evil spell book that wants her to use it, and learning about the famed Rubicus Prophecy–about the chosen one who will break the God Odin’s curse over the witches–as it becomes the talk of the school.

Once a mysterious ship arrives, she and her friend Hugo are swept up in a mystery quest searching for a missing object with a by from the ship. Then she learns she must stop the Rubicus Prophecy or everyone she cares about could be destroyed.

Book 3 is Witch Wars, and it’s brand new!

Since the end of the Rubicus Prophecy things have not been going well for Abigail. After throwing off the balance of powers between the witches, Gods and regular humans, she is determined to fix it before war erupts and destroys them all.

With the help of friends, she’ll have to outwit foes who are trying to stop her. But, the outcome is far from certain. Will Abigail and Hugo be able to turn things around and bring peace?

What I like about this series it that it’s a pretty easy and quick read for middle-grade readers. It’s a fun one to read aloud too. The books are full of suspense that isn’t too scary, but lends enough sorcery, witches and magic to make it fit right in with October fun.

Abigail is a nice girl who struggles following her heart when witches are “supposed” to be mean and hard hearted. It’s great for lessons on friendship, being yourself, overcoming challenges and learning a bit about Norse mythology too.

My daughter and I really enjoyed the Witches of Orkney series. The stories are a bit simple and not very in depth; and the world isn’t fleshed out fully, but they’re fun and there is always something happening.

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But, searching through all of the books was time consuming and with a toddler/preschooler, you know they don’t have much attention span. That’s why I compiled this list of books about the ocean for preschoolers, so that you save your time and just pick up some awesome books. You’ll also likely build life-long memories about the sea and the amazing creatures in it.

The Big Book of the Blue
If you have a little one who loves this ocean, this book is amazing! The illustrations are well done, with lots of color. While staying age appropriate, it also gives lots of really cool facts about the ocean and the animals that live there.

Somewhere in the Ocean by Jennifer Ward. A counting book of different sea animal mothers and their babies.

Simple and fun to look at, this is a great beginning book about the ocean and its animals.

I’ll Follow the Moon by Stephanie Lisa Tara, is a book about sea turtles finding their way from their nests into the ocean. It was inspired by a night when the author saw hundreds of sea turtles crossing the beach in the moonlight outside her home in Florida. The illustrations are adorable and the repetition is perfect for little ones.

If I Were a Whale by Shelley Gill, is rhyming board book describing different types of whales with easy to understand facts like where they live and what they eat. Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers alike.

One Tiny Turtle by Nicola Davies is another cute book about sea turtles making their way to the ocean. Written both in easy to read and understand prose and smaller text that gives more “facts” about sea turtles, this book blends fiction and non-fiction beautifully.

A Swim through the Sea by Kristin Pratt-Serafini is an alphabet book for parents and children. Each letter represents a different sea creature, with an alliterative description led by a cute seahorse.

Save the Ocean by Bethany Stahl is a fictional, easy to follow story with pretty illustrations. It teaches kids about the need to save the ocean through recycling and conservation.

Flying Deep: Climb Inside Deep-Sea Submersible Alvin by Michelle Cusolito lets readers experience a day in the life of an Alvin pilot. You’ll join scientists at the seafloor to collect samples and conduct research. Alvin is a robot/submarine that can travel deep into the water to discover things there. It also explains how Alvin works, describes the author’s research, and includes a glossary and further reading list.

Hooray for Fish by Lucy Cousins is one of my favorite books about the ocean for preschoolers. It’s very simple and perfect for toddlers, but my seven year old still loves it too. The illustrations are fun a whimsical and the rhyming and poetic writing will keep them engaged.

The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson is a beautiful rhyming book about a snail in search of adventure. He finds a whale who takes him on one and they become friends. But when the whale is in danger, will the tiny snail be able to help?

Manfish: A story of Jacques Cousteau by Jennifer Berne, is an easy to understand, large text story about Jacques Cousteau. The illustrations are fun and the story about the famous oceanographer is engaging, even for little ones.

Down, Down, Down, a Journey to the Bottom of the Sea by Steve Jenkins, has beautiful illustrations. Plus, this simple word story about creatures of the deep will keep young children fascinated by the interesting facts they learn.

With this list of books about the ocean for preschoolers, your little one is sure to satisfy their love of the ocean and sea animals. And they’re a beautiful addition to your home library too!

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By chance, several of the books I’ve read recently have had themes dealing with the affects of racism, religious stereotyping, physical disabilities and mental disabilities. They’ve explored the way that knowledge, education and empathy are the key to making the world a better place for everyone.

It is time to change the world. It is time to stand up and not accept the way things have been going any more. It needs to stop. It needs to change. Now.

Below is a list of books for different ages to help kids, teens and adults understand what racism is, and how to build a better, safer, more just America for everyone.

Young Kids:

A Kids Book About Racism by Jelani Memory. This is a very simple book that uses words and phrases a young child can understand, to describe a big concept.
When you don’t know where to start, this is a good option. It’s good for kids as young as 3 or 4 on up.

Early Grades

Something Happened in our Town by Marianne Celano and Marietta Collins

This book follows two families — one white, one Black — as they discuss a police shooting of a Black man in their community. The story aims to answer children’s questions about such traumatic events, and to help children identify and counter racial injustice in their own lives. It includes an extensive Note to Parents and Caregivers with guidelines for discussing race and racism with children, child-friendly definitions, and sample dialogues.

Free, downloadable educator materials (including discussion questions) are available at www.apa.org.

Upper/Middle Grade

Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor was a book that I read when I was young–and it became one of my favorites. It’s currently on my must-read list for my own kids. The book is about a young African American girl named Cassie and the racism her family deals with in Mississippi during the Great Depression and Jim Crow era. Told from Cassie’s perspective, the reader sees through her eyes what it’s like growing up in that place and time. The injustice and blatant cruelty made a big impact on me as a child, and is especially important now. This is a great book for kids about the detrimental effects of racism.

Understanding the history of racism–systemic and overt–that happened in the past, is critical to ending it now.

Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli has been on my Reeder Family must-read list for a while, and obviously still is. I can’t remember how many times I’ve read it, but it’s a lot. The study in racism is more subtle in this book, but just as profound. It tells the story of Jeffrey (Maniac) Magee, an orphan who drifts from town to town and settles in Two Mills, Pennsylvania. He is an athletic prodigy, and through is amazing feats may be just the person to integrate his racially segregated town.

Young Adult/Upper Grades

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. This one was a must. This book is powerful in its direct and unflinching call out of racism in America and the consequences of the quick to shoot police that are doing the opposite of protecting people.

To be fully honest and transparent, this book has never been on my reading list. With so many books on my to read list, this one didn’t seem like my kind of book. And it isn’t. But then America very visibly turned upside down and I knew I needed to read it anyway. It still isn’t what I’d usually pick up. It makes me uncomfortable. And that’s why it’s important to keep going. If you’re only going to read one book for kids about racism, make it this one. I had no idea. Now I do. Now I can make different choices.

The official summary:
Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed.

Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil’s name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr. But what Starr does–or does not–say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life.

For Non-fiction read Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You by Jason Reynolds.

This is a rewrite for a younger audience of Dr Ibram X. Kendi’s award winning book Stamped from the Beginning.

This is NOT a history book.
This is a book about the here and now.
A book to help us better understand why we are where we are.
A book about race.

The construct of race has always been used to gain and keep power, to create dynamics that separate and silence. It reveals the history of racist ideas in America, and inspires hope for an antiracist future. It takes you on a race journey from then to now, shows you why we feel how we feel, and why the poison of racism lingers. It also proves that while racist ideas have always been easy to fabricate and distribute, they can also be discredited.

Through a gripping, fast-paced, and energizing narrative written by beloved award-winner Jason Reynolds, this book shines a light on the many insidious forms of racist ideas–and on ways readers can identify and stamp out racist thoughts in their daily lives.

Adults

I know I said this was about kids books, but adults need to know these things too. All of the above books are a great place for adults to start. If you want something written specifically for adults you could try Dr. Kendi’s Stamped from the Beginning. If you have a teen, you could read your versions together and compare notes and have a discussion about them.
Another option is:

So you want to talk about race by Ijeoma Oluo.

This book is illuminating. I had several ah ha moments, so much more understanding, understood previous encounters so much more, and have more courage to have discussions about race

Widespread reporting on aspects of white supremacy–from police brutality to the mass incarceration of Black Americans–has put a media spotlight on racism in our society. Still, it is a difficult subject to talk about. How do you tell your roommate her jokes are racist? Why did your sister-in-law take umbrage when you asked to touch her hair–and how do you make it right? How do you explain white privilege to your white, privileged friend?

In So You Want to Talk About Race, Ijeoma Oluo guides readers of all races through subjects ranging from intersectionality and affirmative action to “model minorities” in an attempt to make the seemingly impossible possible: honest conversations about race and racism, and how they infect almost every aspect of American life.

This is not an exhaustive list, of course. It’s just a place to start; but that’s the important part. Starting your kids’ education about racism is critical to being part of the solution to a problem that I’m only just starting to learn about and understand myself.

How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi is powerful. This book changed my entire perspective and given me a profound shift in the way that I view racism, what it is to be racist, and the way that is has permeated our society–which is necessary to begin changing it. I am forever changed for the better.

Official summary:
At it’s core, racism is a powerful system that creates false hierarchies of human value; its warped logic extends beyond race, from the way we regard people of different ethnicities or skin colors to the way we treat people of different sexes, gender identities, and body types. Racism intersects with class and culture and geography and even changes the way we see and value ourselves.

In How to Be an Antiracist, Kendi takes readers through a widening circle of antiracist ideas–from the most basic concepts to visionary possibilites–that will help readers see all forms of racism clearly, understand their posionous consequences, and work to oppose them in our systems and in ourselves. Kendi weaves an electrifying combination of ethics, history, law, and science with his own personal story of awakening to antiracism. This is an essential work for anyone who wants to go beyond the awareness of racism to the next step: contributing to the formation of a just and equitable society.

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Editor’s note: This post has been updated from it’s original.

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Also, I don’t like committing to subscriptions unless it’s for a gift or something, because with 3 kids, the monthly cost really adds up.

But, the more I looked into it, I saw how different it was from others and that I needed it in my life…I mean, my kids’ lives.

What is the Literati Book Club Box?

Well, it’s a box full of books that arrives on your doorstep every month. Pretty cool, huh?! Especially right now since most libraries are closed and heading to the book store isn’t quite a thing. There are online book stores, including our own Vibrant Mom Books, but, what’s cool about this one is that all of the books are curated and chosen by professionals who know all about the best, most recent, most loved books. Yes please! (For more on how they do that, click here.)

Each month, a bright and happy blue box shows up at your door with five books in it. When you sign up, you select the age range of books you want your child to have. There are five different levels ranging from newborn up to 12.

What are the age ranges?

Each level, or age range has a cute name to go with it.

1. Neo is for newborn to age 3, and includes board books with bright colors and fun characters
2. Sprout is for ages 3-5, and includes picture books with fun, simple stories
3. Nova is for ages 5-7 and includes more advanced picture books with more complex stories and beginning readers.
4. Sage is for ages 7-9 has early chapter book series, graphic novels, nonfiction and activity books.
5. Phoenix is for ages 9-12. It has more advanced chapter books, new and classic middle grade novels plus some nonfiction and activity books.

Because my daughters are 7 and 9, we got both the Sage box and the Phoenix box.

What are the books like?

Honestly, I hadn’t heard of almost all of the books in the two boxes we received. It doesn’t mean they’re obscure or weird, just that I wasn’t familiar with many of them. I liked that because it exposed us to new authors and stories we may not have otherwise seen.

Let’s break it down.

The Sage box–for kids ages 7-9 contained a mixture of hardcover and soft cover books of varying degrees of difficulty. A couple of the books were too easy or not my daughter’s taste.

But, she was very excited about The Secret Rescuers and Henry Whiskers.

When it came to the Phoenix box, I was curious what kind of books they’d be and if they’d appeal to both my 9 year old and my 12 year old–and they did!

There were both fiction and nonfiction, hard cover and soft cover, and one book that I couldn’t wait to dive into myself. I felt like the books were just right for this age range. And, a mixture of a more popular book–Spy School, with lesser known books, like The Collectors.

What if I don’t like the books?

This may be my favorite feature of this book box and why I chose it over other options. The subscription is only $9.95 a month. Plus the cost of the books you choose to keep.

If you don’t like a book, or you’ve read it before, or already own it, just send them back within a week in the box it came in with the enclosed prepaid return label and you’re not charged for them. You only get charged for the ones you keep!

There is a price breakdown of each book on the included packing list so you know how much each one will cost.

The prices are always the same or lower than the list price on Amazon, so you don’t have to comparison shop.

Even better? You can skip a month or cancel any time. Being able to skip months is especially nice if you’re going to be traveling, or get a back up of books that you want the kids to read first. The flexibility the Literati book club box offers is my second most favorite feature after the price.

Cons

The one problem that I have with it is that I may end up spending more money on books than usual because I just want them all and don’t want to send any back!

In this case I’m really listening to my kids and their interests because they’re for them.

Final thoughts on the Literati Book Box

I am a fan. My kids are fans. There wasn’t anything about this experience that I didn’t like. I did have one question, that came up because I had two boxes. My interaction with customer service was a great experience as well.

My question was about if I should/could put the books that we were returning in the same box, or if they needed to be returned in the box they came in. The answer was that it’s easier for them to process if they return in the same box because the return label is associated with a specific box. If you do need to put them together, just write a nice little note letting them know which child’s books are which and it’ll be fine too.

You can also buy one time gift boxes with based on a theme if you want to give it as a gift. More info about that here: Literati Gift Box

I can’t wait for our next box, and I know my girls can’t either.

If you try it out using this link, right now you’ll get a $20 book credit on your account too!

Check out the unboxing video for each one below:

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Why is it better to read before watching?

Well, for one thing movies are pretty short, so they usually have to cut things out. Usually they aren’t things that are critical to the story–otherwise it wouldn’t make sense. But, they are often smaller parts of a story that are still good and important. Or they’re characters that you love that are removed or changed.

Another reason to read the book first is because it forces you to use your imagination so much more. You have to think everything up on your own. What does that character look like? How do you imagine the setting? What do you think that expression means? It uses way more creativity when you haven’t seen someone else’s interpretation first.

Once you’ve seen a certain actor in a role, especially an iconic one, it’s impossible to unsee them in your brain as you read–even if the actor or the setting have a different look than what is described in the book.

It can also help encourage some kids to read that might be a little reluctant–the promise of a movie reward can make it extra fun.

The Books:

1. Stuart Little

This book is about a little mouse who is raised by the human Little family. Being so small, it can be tricky navigating such a big world sometimes, but he does it with quite a bit of courage. His biggest adventure happens when he sets out to find his bird friend Margalo who has gone missing. This little mouse will have you cheering him on and believing in yourself.

The movie follows the book pretty well, but adds in extra things that aren’t in the book too.

2. Because of Winn-Dixie

This is one of our new favorites. Winn-Dixie won over all of our hearts just like he did the people in small-town Naomi, Florida where this story takes place. Ten year old India Opal is new to town and has no friends. When she meets a stray dog wrecking havoc in the local Winn-Dixie supermarket, she claims him as her own. Together they begin meeting people in town and making some desperately needed friends. This book deals with loneliness, friendship, loss, making choices and how we all need each other.

The movie follows the book pretty faithfully. There are a few extra characters, and the actors don’t look quite like the characters are described, but it does a good job. The girls rated this book here.

3. Mr. Popper’s Penguins

This book wasn’t on my radar (other than I’d heard of the movie with Jim Carrey a few years ago) until my first grader said they read it as a class at school. She convinced me and her sister to read it so she could watch the movie and we all loved it.
This is the story of Mr. Popper who loves reading about adventures and far off places–especially Antarctica, but has never been anywhere. Then he gets a penguin as an unexpected gift, and his family’s life is never the same. From the one penguin they eventually have several more and the whole family has a great adventure. It was written in the 1930s, so some of the details may be unfamiliar to children, but I found them as a nice way to talk to my kids about the past and how things use to be.

I recommend this as one of the kids books to read before watching the movie because the movie is VASTLY different than the book. Set in a different time period, events happen very differently. Mostly the basic premise is the only thing that is the same. The girls rated this book here.

4. Indian in the Cupboard

This book was written in the mid 1990s, so many of the cultural aspects regarding cowboys and Indians (Native Americans) are different than the way we’d speak about them today. I used this as an opportunity to talk to my girls about Native Americans and their culture, how we should be respective of other people’s cultures and how stereotypes can be damaging.

The story starts with a 12 year old boy Omri who gets a plastic Indian from his friend for his birthday, and the old cupboard and key he gets from his brother and mom. After putting his toy in the cupboard over night and locking it with the key, in the morning Omri discovered that the Indian had come to life.

The remainder of the story follows Omri as he learns what it means to treat others with respect–no matter their size, and how sometimes you have to stand up to your friends to do the right thing. There are additional books in this series too.

The movie follows the book pretty well, but rearranges things, leaves some scenes out and makes others a bit different. But, overall it’s a pretty good adaptation. The girls rated this book here.

5. Charlotte’s Web

Charlotte’s Web is a classic and Newbery Award winner for a reason. This tale of a beloved pig saved from being sold and killed (as many pigs on a farm are meant to be) by his friend Charlotte is sweet and heartwarming. We meet Wilbur as a baby piglet who is the runt of the litter and not expected to live. But, he’s taken care of by Fern, the farmer’s daughter, before he’s sold to her uncle when he gets bigger. On the new farm he longs for a friend, and finds ones in Charlotte, the spider in the rafters.

There are a few different movie adaptations. One is a cartoon, and the other live action. Both of them are pretty good at staying close to the book and make a great watch after reading the book.

6. Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe

The C.S. Lewis classic is part of the Chronicles of Narnia, a seven book series all about, well, Narnia, a fantasy land just beyond the Wardrobe. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is actually the 2nd book in the series, but probably the most well known.

It tells the story of 4 siblings who are sent to a large mansion in the English countryside during World War II to escape the dangers of London. While there the youngest sister discovers a secret/hidden land called Narnia through the wardrobe in a forgotten room. She tells her siblings, but they don’t believe her until they find themselves there too. There is adventure, betrayal, tests of bravery, loyalty and treachery that make this book a classic and a series worth reading.

The movie follows the book pretty faithfully, only leaving out or changing a few things.

7. The Tale of Despereaux

I’m not one to like mice…at all! But, this little mouse Despereaux just makes you love him. His heart, his bravery and his determination make you want him to succeed no matter what. It’s the story of a tiny mouse who is unlike all of the other mice in the castle. His doesn’t cower and creep. He is curious and likes humans. But, by falling in love with the Princess Pea, and refusing to be like other mice forces a series of events that change the kingdom forever.

If you’re going to pick one of these kids books to read before watching the movie, this should be it. The movie is very different than the book. I actually happened to see the movie first and was so confused what was happening when I read the book because so much has changed. If you saw the movie, but haven’t read the book definitely do. I wasn’t a fan of the movie when I saw it, which made me not want to read the book. But, my girls picked it, and we read it and I just love it!

So, if you’re trying to get your kids to read more but they need some motivation, give these a try. They’re great kids books to read aloud for younger kids, and perfect chapter books for kids who are a bit older.

Have you read any of the books on this list? What was your favorite?

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This week the girls read books that were on their lists that have also been made into movies because they wanted to watch them. I also finished the book I’d been working on, and Britton has been working through his book as well.

These books of the week were fun to get through, and some that I didn’t expect to like as much as I did.

Here’s the list and what we think, in no particular order:

Mr. Popper’s Penguins: This is a pretty short book written in 1938 about a man who loves learning about far away places, especially the Antarctic. One day Mr. Popper gets a letter from an Admiral on an expedition who tells him he was sending him something special–a penguin! It really turned the Popper family upside down. Then they end up with a whole dozen!

Kaia and Cambry say: We liked it, but because it’s a little old fashioned it wasn’t as exciting of a book as we’re used to. The movie is very, very different than the book because it’s set in modern times, and only the basic facts are kept the same.
Rating: 3.7 stars

Because of Winn-Dixie is by the beloved Kate DiCamillo, and does not disappoint. It’s the story of a little girl who moves to a new small down and has no friends and is lonely. Then she finds a stray dog and names him Winn-Dixie. During the summer all the good things that happen to her are because of her really friendly dog, Winn-Dixie. She goes on to make friends with people around town and learns some good lessons about people too.

Kaia and Cambry say: It’s a really good book. Kaia says it’s her favorite book that isn’t a graphic novel (which is saying something!) Cambry says she likes the personality of the little girl and the funny parts.

The movie is a pretty faithful representation of the book, which is nice.
Rating: 5 stars

This is one of the books that I read when I was younger and really liked it. Then Cambry came home from school and told me she’d read it with her class and really wanted to see the movie–and we know the rules about that ; )

Indian in the Cupboard is the story about a boy, Omri, who gets a plastic Indian brave from his friend for his birthday. He also gets an old cupboard that locks from his brother and and a key that fits from his mother. Omri put the Indian in the cupboard over night. The next day he opened the cupboard he discovered the Indian was a real man named Little Bear!

The rest of the story tells about the friendship between Omri and Little Bear and some adventures they have. It’s a really good story of friendship, learning to do what is right, and respecting other people. There some old-fashioned cultural references to be aware of though.

Kaia and Cambry Say: I like the story and the creativity and that it was really interesting. Cambry liked the movie better, Kaia liked the book better.
Rating: 3.5 stars

This is one of my favorite Sci-Fi books/series. Ender’s Game is about a very young boy who is recruited to an elite Battle School to help defend the planet (future Earth) in an interstellar war. Ender excels there, and is made a leader of other military trained children where they participate in mock battles that will determine the fate of the world.

The movie version that came out in 2013 starring Harrison Ford and Asa Butterfield is pretty different from the book, but worth a watch for sure!

Britton says: This is a really good book and I’m glad you told me to read it! It has a very interesting look about the future and shows that small kids can do incredible things.
Rating: 4.5 Stars

When I started Rules of Magic I didn’t know that it was a prequel to Practical Magic. I haven’t read that one, so I didn’t realize it. You definitely don’t need to have read Practical Magic for this one.

It tells the story of the Owens siblings who have grown up with with strict rules from their mother to limit their realization that they are witches. The most important rule of all is to not fall in love or there will be dire consequences. We follow the two sisters and brother throughout their lives as they embrace who they are, find and lose love and learn about life.

It’s a really interesting story and compelling to read. Hoffman really makes you care about the characters and what will happen to them.
Rating: 4 stars

These are our books of the week. Check back next week for new reads!

The post Books of the Week April 17 appeared first on Vibrant Mom Society.