false 1 15 15 true 5747650 read 0 true 4793020 currently-reading 0 true 4793019 to-read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/52084976 to: Left Behind (Mass Market Paperback) by Tim LaHaye
After reading 14 books in this series, I still came up empty emotionally and intellectually. The Dime store novel writing style was a real distraction but I was interested in the plot and determined to see into the mind of American evangelical millenialists. The books are easy to read and action packed but are wholly unconvincing as literature. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/52084610 to: J.R.R. Tolkien Boxed Set (The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings) by J.R.R. Tolkien
Classic literature from Tlkein that introduces an anglo-saxon mythology while incorporating significant Christian themes. Difficult to wade through the wordiness at times but worth the effort, this collection sat on my shelf until Peter Jackson convinced me to dust it off and begin again. Highly recommended! ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/52084176 to: The Chronicles of Narnia- The Magician's Nephew, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Horse and His Boy, Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Silver Chair, The Last Battle (The Chronicles of Narnia, Volumes 1-7) by C.S. Lewis
I've read these books annually since I was a child. The simple language and fantastic tale belies profound truths about creation, the fall, the atonement, repentance, faith, prophets, the return of Christ and the hereafter. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/52083699 to: 1984 (Paperback) by George Orwell
A prophetic classic and must read for every American who sees his rights dwindling at the overreaching hand of government. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/52007895 to: Graceling (Hardcover) by Kristin Cashore
Cashore's first novel, Graceling is well-written and has an interesting plot. The book is written for young adults rather than children and addresses themes that compelled us to put it aside for a few years as a read aloud. Still, the story is interesting as fantasy fiction goes at least through the book's midpoint which is about where we stopped. 18 year old Katya's adventures will certainly captivate young women approaching that age but this particular genre, not being my favorite, and the mature themes, being beyond my children's grasp, turned it into a dust-catching doorstop. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/52007973 to: The Kid Who Ran For President (Paperback) by Dan Gutman
So far, my favorite Dan Gutman book, The Kid Who ran for President teaches civics while following the candidacy of 12 year old Judson Moon, a wise cracking camera hog and his ingenious friend and advisor, Lane. We can't wait to read the sequel!!! ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/52007990 to: The Get Rich Quick Club (Paperback) by Dan Gutman
Another fun Gutman book in which a small band of friends decide to become amazingly rich over the course of a single summer. Their exploits are hillarious and spark the imagination. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/52008012 to: Nightmare at the Book Fair (Hardcover) by Dan Gutman
Dan Gutman uses a book fair accident to introduce the wide variety of genres available to readers of every stripe. Using constant cliffhangers as a vehicle, Gutman captivates the imagination of young readers.

We read this book aloud and it inspired my 10 year old, who now considers Gutman his favorite author. While I don't consider ths the best Gutman novel we've read, it was a great way to introduce literature in all of its flavors and styles - a novel educational tool. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/52007962 to: The Homework Machine (Hardcover) by Dan Gutman
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/52007155 to: We Can't All Be Rattlesnakes (Hardcover) by Patrick Jennings
Insightful and entertaining are the adventures of Crusher and Breakfast. A fun read aloud that needs a few word edits this story is the tale of a snake caught by a rotten 12 year old. Jennings account, from the captive Crusher's perspective encouraged us to think a little more about nature and to empathize with all of Earth's creatures. We also learned quite a bit about character from the misanthropic captor whose example illustrated, in a very pointed way, some behaviors better avoided. ]]>