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

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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 Witches by Roald Dahl

This is one of my all-time favorite books. I was introduced to it when I was in 5th grade and my teacher read it to the class. I remember being totally mesmerized by this incredible story. Roald Dahl is one of my favorite authors and I've read nearly all of his books. This book is about a young boy who learns about "real witches" from listening to his grandmother, and his own first-hand encounters with witches. It is full of adventure, humor, and delightful word choice that makes it a hard book to put down!

An American Plague by Jim Murphy

This book is a multi-award winner for a reason. It is fascinating! I'll admit, when I first saw the book, I thought it looked boring and was not drawn to it at all. However, once I opened it and saw its engaging format, I decided to give it a try. It is written in dramatic narrative, which means it reads like a story. It is also about a real event in our history, the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793. I found the factual basis of the story to be so interesting and enjoyed how it gave a glimpse into what life and medicine were like in that time. Another outstanding feature of this book is that it includes prints of actual documents from that time as primary sources. That adds so much to the experience of reading this excellent book. I'd recommend it to anyone- don't hesitate to give it a try!

Mrs. Rogness's Book Recommendations

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