Books

If you're anything like me, resolutions for a new year don't really amount to much.  I'd rather pursue (or, realistically, not pursue) my goals all year long.  One of my ongoing goals has always been to learn as much as I can about... everything.  That's probably why libraries and museums are my favorite places to visit.

Anyway, in my endeavors to seek learning/understanding, I've spent more hours than I care to admit on reading.  If you happen to have resolutions to read more this year (or make your kids read more), then let me suggest a few of my favorites:

Fiction Books for Kids:

• Ella Enchanted:  A book for girls, about a 5th or 6th grade reading level.  I first read Ella Enchanted when I was in 4th grade.  I think it's the reason why I'm so obsessed with fairy tales.  Ella is a heroine worth looking up to as well.  She's both brave and kind-- with a whole lot of loyalty and integrity mixed in.  By far, the best version of Cinderella I've read, and I've read a lot.
• Island and Dive series:  These series books are good for girls, but especially interesting for boys.  About a 5th grade reading level.  Gordon Korman, the author, does an incredible job at researching and constructing believable stories where kids come out the heroes.  These books have been essential in getting my reluctant students to get into reading for the sake of reading.
• Shadow Castle:  About a 3rd or 4th grade reading level.  I grew up on this one.  It's an older story, but certainly timeless in its whimsy.  It's one that left me hoping I would stumble onto a magic castle whenever I went to play outside.  While girls are more drawn to the story for its fairy tale qualities, I find that boys are interested in the story as well (though they pretend not to be).
• Key to the Treasure:  About a 3rd grade reading level.  A great story for boys and girls.  In this story, three children visit their grandparents and discover a treasure map.  Through the course of the story, they piece together the puzzles of the map and discover a whole lot about their grandparents' land in the process.  Perfect for kids who like solving mysteries.
• Coraline:  About a 4th or 5th grade reading level.  Good for girls and boys.  This is the story I give to kids when they tell me they want to read something scary.  It is definitely eerie-- not for the faint of heart, especially if your kids are prone to nightmares.  The book, in this case, is leaps and bounds better than the movie.
• The Westing Game:  About a 6th or 7th grade reading level.  This is the ultimate story for kids who love the mystery genre.  Throughout the narrative, we follow an eclectic group of characters, all involved in the solving of Mr. Westing's murder.  The winner receives the multi-million dollar inheritance.
• Son:  About a 6th or 7th grade reading level.  Have you ever heard of The Giver?  Son is the final book in the Giver series.  (The second and third books in the series are Gathering Blue and Messenger.  I recommend all books of the series.)  In Son, we get to meet Claire, a girl who's stuck living in the community introduced in The Giver.  While the story is written at a junior high level, I find that its themes are more mature.  The driving force in the story is a mother's love to find and care for her child, in spite of the natural and sociological obstacles that would keep her from her son.
• Harry Potter series:  Does this one even need an explanation?  I'm still certain that my acceptance letter to Hogwartz got lost in the mail.  That, or the owl carrying the letter gave up once he had to fly against that Wyoming wind....  Thanks a lot, owl.
• The Chronicles of Narnia:  We've seen the movies.  The books are a lot simpler in plot, but they're a lot more complex in metaphor.

Fiction Books for Adults:

• Les Miserables:  I have not yet come against a version of this story that I do not like.  The book, though, is the best.  I find it refreshing to read of a character who has every right to curse God and humanity but then chooses not to do so.  Likewise, it shows the power of forgiveness.
• Lost Horizon:  I didn't originally have this on the list, but my dad reminded me of it just now.  It raises some interesting points about what is to be valued in life and society.  Shangri-La.
• To Kill a Mockingbird:  Atticus Finch.  Probably one of the greatest protagonists I've ever had the pleasure of "meeting," even if he is a fictional character.
• Hard Times:  I love reading Dickens.  Maybe I like depressing things?  I don't know.  At any rate, this is my favorite of Dickens' works.  It begs to answer the question-- is life all about living by rigid facts?  Or do we enrich our lives with more?  Which is to be valued more:  a wealthy man of learning, or a humble man of hope?
• A Dog's Purpose and A Dog's Journey:  This one is a must for dogs lovers.  It's told from the dog's perspective and offers insight into why our fur-babies behave as they do.  While reading the narrative of this particular dog's life, I was touched with the dog's insightful commentary of the human condition and his understanding of what it means to loyally love another.  It ends happily too, to the point where I was crying.  I don't cry that often.
• The Way of Kings:  This is the best, best, BEST, BEST book ever in my life EVER!!!  It's a fantasy that, by far, surpasses any other book I've read in the genre.  It's better, dare I say, than Lord of the Rings.  It's the first of 10 books (the second comes out in March).  The storyline is complex and compelling.  The characters, though, make the book.  Sanderson masterfully creates his characters with such depth that a reader can't help but feel invested in their stories.  The characters, Kaladin in particular, in spite of all of the wickedness around them, strive to maintain righteousness where it would, otherwise, not exist.  Throughout the story, a reader is challenged to question their own set of values and to question their own motives.  Seriously.  Read this one.

Nonfiction Book for Adults:

• Mere Christianity:  Sometimes I feel like we throw the term "Christian" around as a cutesy, cover-all definition for someone who went to church with their parents on Easter Sunday when they were little.  I appreciate C.S. Lewis for "laying down the law," so to speak in setting forth what it truly means to be a Christian.
• Jesus the Christ:  This is my favorite nonfiction book.  Other than through scripture, this book has helped me to understand Christ more than any other book.  Unlike the New Testament, this book takes a chronological and biographical look at the life of Jesus Christ.  It educates the reader on the cultures and customs into which Christ was born, which clarifies many of His teachings and actions.  It not only speaks of Christ's divinity, but also lends the reader understanding into who Jesus of Nazareth was as a man.
• The Book of Mormon:  Yeah.  Had to throw this one in there.

PS-- I'm a self-proclaimed expert at matching kids with books they'll enjoy reading.  If you have a kid in mind, feel free to message/comment on their grade and interests.  I should be able to recommend a book that they'll actually want to spend time with.  You're welcome.  :)