Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder

This book, along with the entire series it is a part of, is something I have read countless times. I return to them because the stories are so comforting and are a window into what life was like many years ago. I find Laura's life to be fascinating, and the ups and downs of her adventures with her family are what keep me turning the page to find out what will happen next. If you've never read this series, I cannot recommend it enough. Start here, with Little House in the Big Woods. It tells the story of Laura as a young girl in 1871 living with her mom, dad, older sister Mary, and baby sister Carrie. It is an autobiography, so it is based on Laura's actual life experiences. At this point, the family is living in a cabin in the woods in Wisconsin, and it tells about their daily life. Throughout all of their experiences, good and bad, you can see the way the family is deeply rooted in their love and respect for each other. When I pick up these books, I feel like I'm visiting an old friend! Make sure you add this one to your reading list. The other titles in the series include: Little House on the Prairie, Farmer Boy, On the Banks of Plum Creek, By the Shores of Silver Lake, The Long Winter, Little Town on the Prairie, These Happy Golden Years, The First Four Years

Comments

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

This book is a Newbery Medal winner, and for good reason. It is another book that I was unable to put down once I started reading it. Annemarie is the main character, and she has a best friend, Ellen, that is moving in and pretending to be part of Annemarie's family in order to keep her safe. This is because Ellen is Jewish and the Nazis are coming in and removing all of the Jewish people. Annemarie ends up having to go on a very risky and dangerous mission in order to save Ellen's life. It is a fast read, and it will keep you on the edge of your seat. It is a powerful reminder of the horrible things people went through during the Holocaust.

Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper

This book is about a young girl named Melody that has significant physical disabilities. She cannot talk, walk, or do much of anything on her own. However, her mind is very sharp and she is incredibly smart. The frustrating part is that no one, not even her parents, realize that she is intelligent. She is put in a classroom at school that is not challenging her at all. This is a story about how she was able to begin to communicate and reveal just how smart she truly is. Eventually she was able to start connecting with her peers and go to regular classes in school. It is a valuable story to read as a reminder not to assume someone's ability just by the way they look. It is a wonderful book!

The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander

This book was a selection I had chosen for World Read Aloud Day last week. Our high school literacy club sent students over to do a read aloud for each of my 3 classes that day. This book is powerful, thought-provoking, and has beautiful illustrations. It is a picture book, so it doesn't take long to read. One of my favorite features of the book is that it provides information in the back about many notable Black Americans that are alluded to in the story. It is a worthwhile read by a great author!

Mrs. Rogness's Book Recommendations

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