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Hateful: #4 – Good Guys Gone Bad “There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who…

Lois Lowry’s Silent Boy touches the subject of special needs children in the early 1900’s, an era that was ill-equipped to help such kids. We learn, through the eyes of six-year-old Kate, about Jacob, a boy who Kate’s father describes as “different.” A friendship grows between Kate and Jacob, though Jacob rarely speaks. When a sequence of…

The Children’s Book of America, edited by William J. Bennett, showcases the values that contributed to our country’s birth and success. Bennett collects tall tales, legends, biographical sketches, and songs. Generals, priests, women, and slaves, all are part of the story that is America. Which is your favorite?

Hateful: #5 – Speed Work “There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up…

Great-uncle Matthew, G.U.M. for short, collects fossils. He happens upon three rare specimens in his travels—Pauline, Petrova, and Posy. Care for these new “specimens” falls to his niece, Sylvia, and her nurse, Nana. G.U.M. disappears for years at a time and the family finances dwindle. Pauline shows promise as an actress. Petrova loves anything mechanical,…

William J. Bennett’s Children’s Book of Home and Family points readers to the true treasures of life—those we love and with whom we do life. Faithfulness towards one another, respect for the elderly, and a grateful spirit represent just a few of the values that flow through the pages.  This picture book includes classics like…

Hateful: #6 – Family Court “There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up…

Theodore Taylor’s Cay opens in the stunning setting of Curacao, a Dutch island off the Venezuelan coast. German submarines lurk nearby as World War II touches even the sunny Caribbean. Young Phillip and his mother seek to escape danger by fleeing to the United States, but their ship is torpedoed by the Germans. In the rush…

This month, I will highlight William J. Bennett’s collections of children’s books. His Book of Virtue and others like it make terrific reading for older children, but his picture book editions are equaling winning. Today, we’ll turn the spotlight on Bennett’s Children’s Book of Heroes. This collection provides a great assortment of stories, especially for…

Hateful: #7 – Dog Ears “There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up…