Whether you are going on vacation or staying at home, books can be welcome friends. Often in summer, the family is spending more time together - how about spending some time talking about books? One option is for everyone to read the same book and discuss it (try one of our book club kits). A second option is to have everyone select a book withing a theme and talk about the similarities and differences of their choices. The staff have selected titles for all age groups that fall into six themes. Our first two themes are:
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Pioneers, cabins and bears, Oh my! This is a great choice since the adults will have likely read this book, too.
Books for kids 3rd - 5th Grade
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. A boy is challenged to survive in the wild after a plane crash.
Sarah Plain and Tall by Maclachland. Mail order bride from Maine marries a man from Kansas. The story tells of her coping with the dramatic changes in the environment.Books for kids 6th - 12th Grade
The Goats by Brock Cole. Two teenagers abandoned on a island during summer camp, decide to seek revenge by disappearing.Books for Mom
The Geography of Bliss: One Grumps Search to Find the Happiest Places in the World by Eric Weiner. The author, a former foreign correspondent, took a year's research to travel the globe looking for the happy places. The results are both funny and philosophical.Books for Dad
River Horse by William Least Heat Moon. The author and a friend travel in a small boat from New York, across the Midwest covering Lewis and Clark's route to the Pacific.
ATTAINING YOUR DREAMS
The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary. Ralph the mouse finds a toy motorcycle and with magic and help from a friend, finds a way to ride it.
Books for kids 3rd - 5th Grade
The School Story by Andrew Clements. Twelve year old Natalie writes a book and schemes to get it published at the publishing house where her mother works.
Books for kids 6th - 12th Grade
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon. A poignant story of a 15 year old boy who, although supremely logical does't understand emotions. His neighbor's dog is killed and he sets out to solve the mystery.Books for Mom
My Life in France by Julia Child. Julia's memoir describing her early years in France and how she learned to cook.Books for Dad
The Radioactive Boy Scout: The True Story of a Boy and his Backyard Nuclear Reactor by Ken Silverstein. An amazing story of an Eagle Scout who attains his goal of collecting a sample of every element - even the really nasty ones!
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