January Reading
January is one of my favorite months to read. Maybe it’s because I’ve been too busy to pick up a book in what seems like an age. The chance to read seems like a gift come January.
Nothing’s better than reading a good book on a cold and stormy afternoon under a warm quilt.
And even if this January has been sadly lacking in stormy afternoons, at least the books have been wonderful.
Here’s what my family is reading:
I’m reading aloud Moon Over Manifest
I knew, in the first few paragraphs of the book, that I was going love reading this book. The book is set mainly in 1936.
The story begins with the young protaganist, Abilene Tucker, on a train, traveling to a small (ficticious) town in Kansas called Manifest.
She is thinking of, and missing, her father. She describes listening to the stories he would tell of Manifest, a place she’s never been before, “His words drew pictures of brightly painted storefronts and bustling townsfolk. Hearing Gideon tell about it was like sucking on butterscotch. Smooth and sweet. And when he’d go back to not saying much, I’d try recalling what it tasted like. Maybe that is how I found comfort just then, even with him being so far away. By remembering the flavor of his words.”
Oh my, reading this book is like sucking on butterscotch too. Smooth and sweet.
We are only 10 chapters in and we all can’t wait to read each night. The story is not only beautifully written, the characters are colorful, interesting, and complex and the plot is full of mystery and intrigue.
The book on my night table is Battle Cry of Freedom
Lily is reading Island of the Blue Dolphins
Emma just finished War Horse
Ben is reading and loving the next installment in the Heroes of Olympus saga, The Son of Neptune
When he is done reading this book, Ben is begging to read the Hunger Games, which neither my husband, nor I have read. I’m a little worried it’s too old for an eleven year old based on the subject matter. Has anyone read it? If so, what do you think? I’m pretty sure it’s one of those books we’ll need to read first… but anytime my kids are excited about reading something, it’s hard to say no. Luckily, so far, my kids have only gotten excited about reading good books.
Are you reading something wonderful? I’d love to hear.
I couldn’t agree more about how wonderful it is to curl up with a good book in the winter! I’m currently reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! I started re-reading the entire series a couple of months ago and there’s no denying how wonderful they are!
I just finished Saving CeeCee Honeycutt. Real good!
I loved “Moon Over Manifest”! I am currently reading “Kneebone Boy” and looking ahead to the second in the Kane Chronicles by Riordan. I think it is time for a grown-up book! I read a lot of children’s books (I’m a grade school librarian) so I can make informed recommendations to students. I have read the Hunger Games and loved it but do not have it in my collection (we are a K-6 school) although I know the 6th grade teachers have it in their classroom libraries. I will say that the series gets progressively intense. I would recommend reading them first. I found they read very fast…couldn’t put them down! You know your son best and I so appreciate your concern! Thanks for the suggestion on “War Horse.” I’m going to add it to my list. I love your blog…thanks for all the inspiration you share!
I’ve read The Hunger Games and I really like that series. I don’t know that I’d recommend them for an 11 yr old without reservations, as it would really depend on the kid in question. They’re good books, and the first one is the most well-written, but they are violent and made me cry. Your son probably has a tougher skin than I do, I’m a wimp! I’d say that is definately one you want to read first before you hand it off to him though. You won’t regret having to, since it’s a great story.
I agree with the last two comments; you need to read it first, but they were wonderful. I teach middle school but I remember being concerned about my daughters reading the Redwall series when they were younger because it contains violence (even though the characters were mice and badgers). I discussed my concerns with my children’s literature professor (I was in college at the time), and her feeling was that reading about violence is different than visual violence because our kids minds will only create the pictures they are capable of creating. As you are obviously cautious about what your kids are exposed to, he will probably be fine. Bottom line–read it, then decide.
I have been looking for something to read and this looks like just the thing!
There is nothing better than curling up with a good book and having the words come alive in your mind.
Thank you for sharing!!
Right now I’m just finishing up Jane Austen’s Emma. It’s wonderful to immerse yourself in any good book, but there is a special delight to reading–or rereading–the classics!
The Hunger Games trilogy are absolutely fantastic books, and based on the other books you’ve mentioned here, would probably go over well. But I’ll join the chorus of those recommending that you read them yourself, first. They’re very intense, and I wouldn’t personally be comfortable with *most* eleven year olds reading the books. That said, I have a friend whose ten year old loved them.
Added bonus of reading them yourself: YOU get to enjoy them. They’re very much worth reading!
Lovely post! I feel as if I would like to read all the books that you mentioned – at the same time!
We are currently reading Alice Through the Looking Glass, The Mouse and the Motorcycle … and a selection of picture books!
Read Aloud Dad
We’re almost done reading “The Secret Garden” and “Encyclopedia Brown” as read alouds. I think we’ll finish them both next week and we are looking forward to starting the next read alouds.
We love the Percy Jackson series even my 16 yr old daugher!! We have them on tape and listen to them in the car on road trips. We just finished Son of Neptune and now anxiously have to wait for the next one to come out!
Oh, there is nothing better than a cold day, a quilt & a good book. I’m going to look for some you mentioned. My sister & I have both read The Hunger Games Trilogy, but my 11 year old niece is much too sensitive for them. The series is truly a great read, but so intense. It leaves you feeling sad & maybe just a little jaded.
I recently wrote a post about the books I’m reading now:
http://www.craftingmyhappylife.blogspot.com/2012/01/what-im-reading-now.html
“Moon over Manifest” sounds great. I love historical fiction too. Before staying home with my kids, I was an elementary teacher and always loved reading the latest children’s chapter books. I’m very much out of the loop now with my little ones. I’ll have to look for that one at my library.
The girls and I just finished Matched and have started Book of A Thousand Days, which I just love! I am reading With A Name Like Love, its a beautiful book and I know you would love it! I think you should read Hunger Games before you give it to Ben. It is certainly a thrilling book! Happy Reading Calli!!!
I have read the Hunger Games. I think that it is more appropriate for a thirteen year old at least. We are just now letting our nine year old read some of the Harry Potter series. She is on book three, but I know that they get darker and am not sure if I want to let her finish the series right now.
The Hunger Games is an amazing story and has quickly become one of my favorites. It is violent, however, and I would recommend that you read it first before allowing your eleven year old to read it if you have concerns. Who knows, perhaps you might like it as well! Happy reading!
I love good books, I worry about young children reading books like the Hunger Games especially. I have read all 3 and while I agree Suzanne Collins is a very talented writer I will not have my children read them (once they are adults that is their business). I recently found a wonderful review if you have any questions about these books (it is from an LDS perspective but the points are relevant for anyone curious about this series).
http://www.misfitcygnet.com/2010/10/the-question-of-deception-lds-ark-culture-embraces-the-pornography-of-violence/
Happy reading!
Hattie and I are reading Moon Over Manifest right now! And Hunter is also begging to read Hunger Games. I told him NO. Teenagers kill other teenagers in the book, which I think is too much for elementary school-aged kids. We talk about the book, but I don’t want him reading it – yet. The author of Hunger Games has another series for younger readers that Hunter read and loved – Gregor the Overlander. And I am reading him Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer. It’s also a bit violent – Vikings ransack an Anglo-Saxon village. But the context of the violence is so different from Hunger Games that for some reason I’m okay with it. Also the protagonist is younger than in Hunger Games, which always helps.
Thanks for this lovely post. Moon Over Manifest sounds like a book I would enjoy. I too am a fan of historical fiction. But lately I’ve been reading more mainstream titles such as The Help, The Hunger Games, The Time Traveler’s Wife, and I too re-read the Harry Potter Series. But the “Butterscotch” for me was absolutely Gone With The Wind which I hadn’t ever read before I’m sorry to say. Fabulous. Nothing comes close. Definately an old classic that is so worth revisiting.
I too like reading history books. I don’t know how old Emma is but there is a word war II book called Alicia, my story ? by Alicia Appleman-Jurman. It is one of my favorite books. Might be because Ithe author who is the subject of the book and who came to my junior high many, years ago. It is one that you might read before Emma does because it does have a few things that are graphic but otherwise it really gives you an idea of the times as the author lived them.
Have you read The Killer Angels? It’s a semi-fictional account of the Civil War. It would be a great companion to Battle Cry of Freedom (which is on my to-read list). I love your recommendations for kids’ books. I have two eight-year-old nieces, and I have twice sent them a book from your list with great success. Thanks for the tips!
I’m re-reading Harry Potter too! I’m so pregnant that I was having trouble focusing on new literature. HP and friends seems just right, plus the familiar story doesn’t keep me up at night reading “just one more chapter”. I may have book OCD.
I did read The Hunger Games and I agree with some of the other commenters. You know your son best, reading the books first will allow you to see if he’s ready for the themes and violence.
If you aren’t sure about Hunger Games my favorite series for boys is The Ranger’s Apprentice. It is excellent. My husband is on book 8 now. I read book 1. My library kids like it too.