I haven’t talked about books lately so I wanted to throw out what is being read at our house right now.
Our school does a RIF (reading is fundamental) program which means the youngest kids get new books every now and again.
Book by Doreen Cronin, Illustrated by Betsy Lewin; Picture from BarnesandNoble.com
One of the books that has shown up from that program in our house lately is Click Clack Moo by Doreen Cronin and we really love it.
The cows have discovered an old typewriter in the barn and write a note to the farmer. The barn gets cold and they want electric blankets. They will even go on strike to get their demands met.
We laugh, we cry, we watch the duck be the go-between.
It is a great book.
Another great book I have been reading lately is Princess Academy by Shannon Hale. I picked this book up at a garage sale. Then it hung around for a while. I picked it up last month and really enjoyed it.
Book by Shannon Hale; Image from BarnesandNoble.com
The story is about Miri who is the smallest girl in her mountain village. Life is hard and tough. The people are stone cutters and have a special language that Miri wants to learn. One day a messenger from the king announces that the new princess will be picked from their village and therefore all girls will need to attend the new princess academy.
There is the challenge of the lessons, discovery about life beyond their village, the possibility of romance and action as the girls have never imagined will take place during the 18 months of the academy. I loved every moment, especially when Miri figures out how to speak to others without speaking.
This next selection I have not read. That is not the important part here.
"Stormrider" by Anthony Horowitz; Picture from Amazon.com
The reader of the Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz is my fourteen-year-old who is not a big reader.
Every week, he has to read 100 minutes for his language class. The books he wants to read lately is Alex Rider. At this point in time he is on the fourth book of the series . Then he expressed sadness that when he graduates from 8th grade he will no longer be able to get these books from the library.
When you are a big reader yourself is there no sweeter sound than to hear your child state he wants a specific book series?
What is your family reading?
Notes from Rumbly Cottage 
When I was librarianing (how’s that for a made up word?) I always loved it when a reluctant reader found a book or series they loved. He may also enjoy the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan.
I have tried a number of series with him and had no success. This one he found on his own and, well, he likes it. Winnnning!
I will have to check out the Alex Rider series for my daughter.
I love Click, Clack, Moo – the illustrations and story are just wonderful and hilarious.
My daughter has been reading the Artemis Fowl series, which I have read through already – the series is great and I recommend it for your 14-year-old (and for you). I concur on the Percy Jackson series as well.
We are also looking forward to the final installment of the Sisters Grimm series – a great series for fans of fairy tales.
I love fairy tale stuff. Might just have to find this one.
They are delightful! The series’ stars are the descendants of Jakob and Wilhelm Grimm and they find that all of the fairy tales are historical events….really a lot of fun.
I know some of the kid rhymes are based on historical info – why not the fairy tales as well?
Should I be taking notes for Christmas books?
Graduation!
Nice Post !
http://womensintellect.wordpress.com/2011/05/04/thought-of-the-day-2/
Click, Clack, Moo looks perfect for my son. Off to the library tomorrow, thanks for the recommendations!
Ok. I was driving in the car today, and your post popped into my head. (That’s either a sign of you writing a great post or me having a boring life. I’m going with great post, though my life isn’t exactly exciting.) With all the ‘stuff’ that is going on in the world, I think I am going to immerse myself into some LM Montgomery and escape into the world of Anne Shirley and Green Gables.
My boys are currently into the Froggy books, Froggy goes to School, Froggy’s Day with Dad, etc.
I am not familiar with the Froggy books. Time for an expedition!
These books sound wonderful! My daughter also lost some interest from age 14 on, because of so many reading assignments from school. I’m thrilled that she is now interested again, and is dying to read for pleasure, a decade later.
I felt that way for a while after college. Glad she has her reading groove back.