The Phantom Tollbooth

This was another book group book. The kids really liked it, but I could take it or leave it. It is touted as being a math book and there are several instances where that is true and that may also be why it didn't really hit the spot for me. It was just too left-brained for my flowery, creative right brain.  I really don't remember much about it other than a dog that is actually a clock and some play on words with dictionary terms etc.

The Golden Fleece

and the Heroes Who Lived Before Achilles by Padriac Colum

This book would be more recognized if it were titled Jason and the Argonauts since that is what it's about. Of course, the task that Jason and the Argonauts set out to accomplish was getting the Golden Fleece, but I think because of the movie, more people would recognize it by that name. This is a great introduction to Greek Mythology for children (and me). I have heard before that most stories have their origin in either Greek Mythology, the Bible or Shakespeare and through reading this book, I can see that this is a true statement. While reading, I kept coming across elements that can be found in other well-known stories, like The Lord of the Rings, Lot and his family leaving Sodom and Gomorrah, and Snow White, to name a few. This book is not necessarily a page turner, but still a worthwhile read if one is not ready to read Homer (which I have read, but can't remember).

The Help

Five Stars, hands down, one of the best books I have ever read. It was engaging, funny, witty, taught lessons, made me cry with laughter and sadness. I can't say enough about this adult novel set during the civil rights movement and the movie was perfect as well.

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief

Jared and I read this book for book group and although I liked it a lot, I didn't feel that it had the same quality of literature to it that many of the other books we read have. However, the Greek mythology themes that it teaches the kids are priceless and they quickly became the theme for most of our family conversation for the whole year. We even dressed up as the characters for Halloween.

Charlotte's Web

We read Charlotte's Web for our homeschool book group. We loved every bit of it. One of my favorite things was that there was some activity that we could do to continue the learning from each chapter.  I cried through the whole last two chapters, which is probably the reason why I have never read this book before. 

Ender's Game

I read this book because it is on the Thomas Jefferson Education list of books that are good mentor reads for youth. I hated everything about this book from the language to the videogaming and couldn't understand why it was recommended until the very last page.  Then...I got it, and I really liked it. The movie came out in December 2012 and we went to see it and loved it too.  We even ordered the sequels and I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

The Mysterious Benedict Socitey

Most of the time when someone refers to classic literature, they mean something that has been around for a while and has withstood the test of time. Families have enjoyed classics for years and it is expected that no matter how much time passes, these stories will continue to be enjoyed. Every once in a while you come across a book that although new, you just know will become a classic. The Mysterious Benedict Society should be one of those books. I say should because I fear that in this world of all too often dumbed-down movies, games and books (SpongeBob Squarepants and Captian Underpants come to mind), that this book will go undiscovered. It is so witty and full of intellectualism and just a really good children's adventure story. My kids had a blast trying to solve all the riddles and problems along with the kids in the book. This is a trilogy and Jared and his friends have already read the other two and say that they are just as great. The Mysterious Benedict Society is timeless!