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!

The post Who Was Books Are Required Reading appeared first on Vibrant Mom Society.

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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There’s just something about middle grade fiction that speaks to so many emotions. To the challenges and the process of growing up that make them essential reading.

I’ve also found that the character and plot development is often superior to many young adult and adult fiction books. Maybe it’s because they have to catch and keep a young person’s attention and so there has to be a real plot and interesting characters right away. Or maybe because they have to write more simply and straightforwardly than books for older people. Whatever the reason, I come away from my middle grade reads feeling satisfied. Like I learned something, gained valuable insights, or just had fun reading in a way that I often don’t with “grown up” books.

What makes must read middle grade book?

Obviously taste is subjective, and what one person loves another person could really, um, not. But, when books win awards for outstanding children’s literature, there’s usually a pretty good reason! Now, not all of these fall into that category, but many do.

A book is a must read if it has important life lessons that can help you grow and become a better person. The characters develop and change as the story goes along; and you as the reader grow and change along with them. The story often helps you as the reader look at the world from a different perspective.

All of these books are on this list because I feel they have these qualities. So, here are some of my must read middle grade books, in no particular order:

Witch of Blackbird Pond

Witch of Blackbird Pond, by Elizabeth George Speare, is one of my all-time favorite books. Speare is known for her historical fiction, and this one won the Newbery Medal in 1959.

It begins in 1687 and tells the story of Kit Tyler, an English girl born and raised in Barbados. She is the wealthy granddaughter of a prominent plantation owner. Kit travels to Puritan Connecticut to live with an aunt she’s never met and finds she doesn’t fit in with the very different way of life. She ends up meeting an old woman, who also doesn’t fit in, and they become friends. Will Kit learn to be more like her cousins, will she ever fit in? Prejudices and superstitions threaten from all sides.

I love it because it shows the strength of character Kit has. And that even though your beliefs may differ from someone else, judgments, prejudices and treating people badly just because they’re different is not ok.

Wrinkle in Time

Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L’Engle is the first book in a fantasy/sci-fi series that won the Newbery Medal in 1963.

It tells the story of Meg Murray and how she travels through space and time along with her little brother and friend to save her dad, who is a scientist, and has disappeared. They are helped by a neighbor who turns out to be a supernatural being. They travel to other planets and meet fantastic creatures on their journey.

It a fun story, full of challenges, surprises and requires a lot of emotional growth from Meg.

Maniac Magee

Maniac Magee, by Jerry Spinelli has been one of my favorites since I was about 12. It won the Newbery Medal in 1991.

This book covers themes of racism, inequality and how we have the power to come together as a community. It tells the story of Jeffrey, “Maniac” Magee who is an orphan boy looking for home when he stumbles upon the town of Two Mills, which is racially segregated east and west. He has a special talent for athleticism and being helpful to people, and becomes a local legend.

I love this book because instead of the main character really changing and growing a lot, its the others around him that he has a positive affect on. By being himself, and being ignorant of the tensions that divide his adopted town, he draws others together.

Wonder

Wonder, by R.J. Palacio is about a 10 year old boy with severe facial deformities who is entering school for the first time in 5th grade because his parents want him to experience the world and find a place in it outside his loving home. Sometimes it’s difficult to tell real friends from fake, to stand up for others in the face of bullies and to see people for who they are on the inside.

I love this book because it changed my heart and couldn’t wait for my kids to read it. It is filled with wit, wisdom and character-building precepts courtesy of English teacher Mr. Browne, that I think is a beautiful way for children–and adults–to find compassion for others.

Bridge to Terabithia

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson was awarded the Newbery Medal in 1978 and is a beautiful tribute to friendship and growing up.

It’s about 2 unlikely friends who create a secret magical–to them–place in the woods near their homes. Here they can play and rule in their land of Terabithia. Some of the book deals with bullying and understanding that people have stories that we often don’t know about, but should treat them kindly anyway.

SPOILER ALERT FOR PARENTS: Near the end of the book, one of the children dies in an accident and the other characters deal with their grief and guilt.

I love this book and recommend my children to read it because of the themes that it deals with and life lessons that the characters learn. From dealing with class differences, having compassion for others, and friendship, this story stays with you for a long time.

Tuck Everlasting

Tuck Everlasting, by Natalie Babbitt is consistently on lists of the top chapter books for children and has won several awards.

It tells the story of a wealthy girl in a small town at the turn of the 20th century. She is bored with her life, stuck behind the fence of her house and always made to act like a lady. One day she sneaks out to the woods across the road and sees a teenage boy drinking from a spring. She wants some water, but he insists she not drink it, and she isn’t happy about it. Finally he has to tell her why not–because it will give her eternal life.

The story is about immortality and how it may not be as great as it seems. It’s also about friendship and doing the right thing and what it means to be alive.

I love this book because of the simple, yet complex theme that it tackles and does so in such a concise and interesting way. It’s a short book, with prose that is easy to follow, but the story is engrossing and well done.

The Little Prince

Originally written in French by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince is a very short story with profound meaning about living life in the best way possible.

The story is told by a narrator, an aviator crash landed in the Sahara Desert. He’s trying to repair his plane when he meets “the little prince.”

The little prince has come from a tiny little planet where he lived alone with a beautiful rose. He decided to visit other planets to see if there was somewhere he might like better because he felt the rose wasn’t treating him well.

The book then describes the other planets and what he finds there, finally arriving on Earth and meeting the narrator. It’s largely a commentary on childhood versus adulthood and what makes life beautiful.

I love it because it’s simple, yet vague and can seem complicated at times. There’s symbolism and great life lessons to be taken from it.

The Giver

The Giver by Lois Lowry rivals Witch of Blackbird Pond in my favorites. Winner of the Newbery Medal in 1994 and is often read in middle school English classes.

It tells the story of a boy named Jonas as he approaches his 12th birthday in his Utopian community. Everything is planned out and organized to give citizens the best outcome.

After Jonas is given a unique job and learns from The Giver he begins to see his community isn’t all he thought.

I love this book because it is both exciting trying to discover what’s really wrong in this society. It’s also terrifying once you discover what is happening. It also shows you what can happen when one person is willing to stand up for what he believes in.

There are 3 other books in the series, Gathering Blue, Messenger, and The Son that follow the characters that Lowry wrote several years later that I highly recommend.

This list is by no means complete, but these must read middle grade books are a great place to start! What are your favorite middle-grade reads? Tell me in the comments below!

The post 8 Must Read Middle Grade Books appeared first on Vibrant Mom Society.

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.

The post Books to Help Kids (and Adults) Understand Racism appeared first on Vibrant Mom Society.

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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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.

And that’s what Lois Lowry did in her book, The Giver. Released in 1993, it follows a young boy, Jonas, in the weeks leading up to his “12th birthday” and the following year.

He lives in a perfect society where everything is orderly, optimized and made for making as few decisions as possible. Because this is the way it’s always been, back and back and back, most people don’t question the order, because as soon as they start puberty their strong emotions are suppressed.

When he is assigned his “job” in the community at his 12 year ceremony, he begins to learn things about his society that cause him to take matters into his own hands with life-altering consequences.

Why It’s A Must Read:
Back before teenage dystopian novels were a thing, The Giver was a masterful middle school read. I sat as a 13 year old in my downstairs bedroom, with the covers pulled up to my chin and the lights low (it was after bedtime after all) and couldn’t put it down. I was dying to know what Jonas would do and what would happen.

A kid near my age, living a life so different from my own, in a possible future that I could barely imagine was so interesting!
It hits on so many emotions and feelings of justice, choice, what makes us human, and maybe most importantly, what we’re willing to do for what is right. It’s a perfect middle school read because these are the themes they’re starting to think about for themselves.

I’ve read it at least 8 times now, and I get something new from it every time. Also, it won the 1994 Newbery Medal, which honors the “most distinguished contribution to American literature for children” each year. Award winners win for a reason!

Who I Recommend It For:
This book is good for kids about 10 and up. The words aren’t so hard, it’s more about the subject matter and this is an age that they are more likely to understand what’s happening at a real level.

Britton’s take: It was really good. I wish I’d read it earlier like you (mom) suggested. I definitely recommend it and can’t wait to read the next books.

Extra Notes: This book is the first in a series. The following books are Gathering Blue, Messenger and Son. Lowry wrote these remaining books over several years, so they are not as well known, but just as good. They help fill out the story and tell you what happened after (and before) The Giver.

Is There A Movie?
Yes! Though I always recommend reading a book before watching the movie. This one was released in 2014 and stars Jeff Bridges as The Giver and Brenton Thwaites as Jonas. It doesn’t have the greatest reviews, but that has to do with what they change and add, not the source material.

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