One of my favourite parts of homeschooling my three children has always been shared stories. I read aloud to them, my husband reads aloud to them, they read alone whether with their eyes or the comforting voice of a audiobook narrator, we listen to books in the car. We watch movie adaptions of stories and dissect the filmwriter's choices at including or excluding certain characters or plot lines.
Last year our read aloud list floundered. They were okay, one or two made it onto the 'let's remember and recommend this one' list.
This summer has redeemed itself, we have a audiobook for the car and one we've been reading over lunch. Both of which the kids and I can't get enough of and both of which I have never read before so there is a delight for me in saying yes to another chapter or two because I also want to know what happens next.
We are in the fullness of August- holding onto afternoons at the river, lazy afternoons when it's just too hot to do anything but also organizing the school closet and having discussions of what the fall schedule looks like.
Here's a list of some of our favourite read alouds, in case you like me need a trusty list for when you can't decide what to read next. Obviously, any of these can be read and enjoyed alone but we particularly liked them as a shared story experience. For reference my kids are 8- 14, and these are all good for those ages.
The Year of Miss Agnes by Kirkpatrick Hill - for a different take on a post World War time period book but in a place not affected by the war, very rural Alaska. For learning about a people and a culture very different then ours yet finding similarities and the connections that a story can bring.
Sweet Home Alaska by Carole Estby Dagg - if Laura Ingalls and her family lived in the Great Depression and went to Alaska instead of out West. Shanty tents, raising giant pumpkins, surviving the wilds of Alaska.
Beneath the Swirling Sky by Carolyn Leiloglou - for art, mysterious family secrets, travel through time and through paintings, lost children and knowing that each one of us has a gift to offer. This would be an excellent introduction to famous paintings and artists or a familiar nod to old friends.
Once a Queen by Sarah Arthur - part fairy tale, part homage to all the great novels of our childhood with serious tones especially of The Secret Garden and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
Adventures with Waffles by Maria Parr - if you like adventouous Swedish children who make best friends and co-conspirators with the child next door but isn't Pippi Longstocking. This book was hilarious fun.
Words on Fire by Jennifer Neilsen - if you ever want to know how privileged we are to be surrounded by books in our own language, with freedom to read and discuss them, this book is an inspiration. Historical fiction set in 1800s Lithuania. This one I would pre-read or at least do a flip through as there are quite a few hard parts of the story.
A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus - if you wanted another story like The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe featuring London evacees and the families that housed them. And if you wanted a book that celebrated the power of stories and books even in the darkest of times. This is one of our very favourites.
Sarah Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan - if you like vivid story telling where the landscape is a much of a character as anyone else. If you've ever had to make a move and make a new place home while missing the familiar. This is the first in a series and one where the movie adaptions are really well done.
The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson - if you like stories of siblings, mysterious circumstances, fantasy, adventure and books that build on each other and create vast worlds of imaginations. This is also a series best for slightly older kids.
Seven Silly Eaters by Mary Ann Hoberman - because no one is too old for a picture book. This one is a favourite with it's rhyming words about a family of picky eaters and their Mum who is gracious with them. Come for the rhymes, stay for the illustrations which display family life and mum life in a beautiful, realistic way.
Tell me what you're reading aloud these days!
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