Book Basket Thursday

My reviewer this week is Sullivan and he'd like to share his opinion of the History Dudes series by Laura Buller and Rich Cando.

"I like History Dudes because it gives you the comedy that you want and the history that you need to learn. They're funny. If you like history and you want to have some fun while learning it, you should get History Dude books."

Sully doesn't waste any time - he gets right to the point.

The boys completed their first 10 hours of summer reading and turned in their log sheets at the library. In return, they each got to pick out a free book. They also received a free pass to the aquarium and a free game of bowling. Good deal!

This week in science we are learning about simple machines and the boys are using the following books to do experiments:

Experiments with Simple Machines by Salvatore Tocci

Work & Simple Machines: Easy to Make Science Experiments by Jon Richards

The art work on the cover of this next book caught my eye. The use of geometric shapes and soothing background colors to make the bold color choices pop had me savoring each and every page. The text is simple, but passionate. The boy in the story has a dream of finding a star to befriend. No matter the obstacles that meet him, he refuses to give up on his quest. If you get a chance, check out How to Catch a Star by Oliver Jeffers, which was this Aussie born/Ireland raised artist's first children's book. You can look at his books on his website.

Owen and I have been enjoying reciting some fun tongue twisters with Orangutan Tongs: Poems to Tangle Your Tongue by Jon Agee. Owen and I share a love of reading out loud. We have read many poetry books together including the great masterpieces by Shel Silverstein.

Sully, Owen, and I all finished reading The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner this week. It received high marks by all! There may be more Boxcar mysteries in our future. We have now moved on to Matthew Jackson Meets the Wall by Patricia Reilly Giff and illustrated by Blanche Sims. I had never heard of this one and it was difficult to locate, but I was able to find a copy through our library system (you gotta love being able to request books online and go to the drive-thru to pick them up).

Since we've been learning about Albert Einstein, Owen and Sully are reading Who Was Albert Einstein? by Jess Brallier and illustrated by Robert Andrew Parker. I requested that the boys read chapter one before bed and Sully enjoyed it so much that he read the entire thing in one sitting. I have had to push him a tiny bit to read chapter books so I am loving that he is blowing through some of the books I've chosen for them.

I'm currently reading The Secret Lives of Lobsters: How Fishermen and Scientists Are Unraveling the Mysteries of Our Favorite Crustacean by Trevor Corson. Earlier this year I devoured The Lobster Chronicles: Life on a Very Small Island by Linda Greenlaw. There is something utterly fascinating about lobsters. The fact that lobsters and lobster fishing are a big part of my home state of Maine probably plays a role in my interest. Greenlaw's book is about more than just lobster fishing - it's about a way of life. If you're looking for something different, you might want to check out either or both of these great books.

Have you or your kids read any great books lately? I'd love to hear about them!