All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Talor

Reviewed by: Bronwen, age 8

This book is one of the best books I have read! I like that it's a family of all girls. It inspires me to be kind and more loving in my family, and to read more. I am also learning about Jews-- that they have different holidays, like Purim and Passover.

Genre: Fiction

Setting: New York City, early 1900s

Introduction:

All-of-a-Kind Family is a family with five little girls, their mama and papa. They live in New York City and they are Jewish. They are kind to one another. They sometimes do bad things but they correct them.

Themes: loving families, working with each other, doing service, living your faith

Recommended Age: 7-9 years old, 5 and up for read-aloud

Rating: 5 stars

Other Books:  All-of-a-Kind Family Downtown, All-of-a-Kind Family Uptown, More All-of-a-Kind-Family, Ella of All-of-a-Kind Family

Nora's Picks of the Week

Two year old Nora can (almost) always be convinced to cooperate if we offer to read a book. Here are her favorites this week:

This one is a library book and new to us. It's a cute story from an illustrator we love.

We have had Moo Moo, Brown Cow for years and it continues to be a favorite of my littles.

Looking for new shoes to wear to a party, the girls try on every pair in the store before deciding that they'll just glam up the shoes they already have. Fun rhythm and rhyme and lots of shoes to look at. 

Christian themed author Max Lucado's books are uber-popular. This one teaches that our value comes because we are God's children and creations, not based on what others think of us. I may not be popular for saying so, but I feel like his books are a bit heavy-handed for my taste in terms of driving their point home. However, they are points that I want my kids to internalize and perhaps heavy-handed isn't a bad thing in these situations. So when Nora picks this one, I sigh a little because I am very tired of it, but I read it anyway because I want her to know her individual worth and divine nature.

The Courage of Sarah Noble by Alice Dalgliesh

Reviewed by: Bronwen, age 8

Sarah Noble had faith in God that she would safely find a home with her father for their family. If you have courage and faith, you can be led the right way. Even though Sarah was only 8, she went to help her father. I liked that because I am 8. I also learned that it takes bravery to do hard things. Sarah had to trust and look up to others to help her while she waited for her father to return with their family. I hope you read this book.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Time Period: Pre-Revolutionary War (1707)

Introduction:
Eight year old Sarah Noble goes to the woods with her father to build a house on land that they bought from the Indians. Her mother and siblings stayed behind while they built the house. Sarah makes friends with the Indian children. Based on a true story.

Themes: faith, courage, family, friendship, we can love people who are different

Recommended ages: 7 and up, 4 and up as a read-aloud

Rating: 4 stars