Our Reading Life: February 2025

Diane’s References
C is for Cowboy by Eugene Gagliano
Four Wheels West by Eugene Gagliano
Esther Morris picture books
The Viaduct Murder by Ronald Knox 
Tanya’s References 
A is for Arches by Becky Hall 
By the Great Horn Spoon! by Sid Fleischman
Alice and Wonderland by Lewis Carol 
Prince Caspian by C. S. Lewis 
The Big Wave by Pearl S. Buck
Sarah Kim’s References
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorn
Anna of Byzantium by Tracy Barrett 
Noodles on a Bicycle by Kyo Maclear
Sara Masarik’s References 
B is for Badger by Kathy-jo Wargin
Blackout by Connie Willis
All Clear by Connie Willis
Mr. McCloskey’s Marvelous Mallards by Emma Bland Smith
How Science Saved the Eiffel Tower by Emma Bland Smith
The Fabulous Fannie Farmer by Emma Bland Smith
The Forgotten Daughter by Caroline Dale Snedeker
The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin
The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin
The Booklovers Library by Madeline Martin
Keeper of the Hidden Books by Madeline Martin
 
General References
Do you want to twin with Sara and Sarah? We were wearing the same shirt. 
Caldecott List on Biblioguides
Newberry List on Biblioguides
Biblioguides 
Semicolon
Picture Book Preschool
Book Review Roundup 
Mighty Networks
Shelf Notes

Our Reading Life: January 2025

Welcome to our third year of Our Reading Life!
Our Reading Life - January 2025
 
Diane’s References
The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey 
 
Sarah Kim’s References
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Icon: A Novel by Georgia Briggs
The Long Walk by Sławomir Rawicz
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang by Ian Flemming 
Tanya’s References 
The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom  
By the Great Horn Spoon! by Sid Fleischman
End the Fed by Ron Paul
Sara Masarik’s References 
The Impossible Journey by Gloria Whelan
Angel on the Square by Gloria Whelan
The Borrowed House by Hilda Van Stockum
Pay Attention, Carter Jones! by Gary D. Schmidt
Palace of Books by Patricia Polacco
An A from Miss Keller by Patricia Polacco
Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco
The Art of Miss Chew by Patricia Polacco
The Ballad of the White Horse by G. K. Chesterton
The Lost Dragon of Wessex by Gwendolyn Bowers
Ideas Have Consequences by Richard M. Weaver
Lepunia: The Kingdom of the Gallopers by Kevin Ford
Lepunia: The Last Galloper by Kevin Ford
A Triumph for Flavius by Caroline Dale Snedeker  
Detectives in Togas by Henry Winterfeld 
General References
Biblioguides
Book Review Roundup
Mighty Networks
Shelf Notes 
Plumfield Moms

Our Reading Life: December - 2024

Welcome to our December 2024 episode of Our Reading Life where we chat with our dear friends, Tanya Arnold and Sarah Kim from Biblioguides about our reading lives. We are so glad you are here!
 
Sara Masarik’s References 
Tree Street Kids Series by Amanda Cleary Eastep
Jack Versus the Tornado by Amanda Cleary Eastep
The Viking Quest Books by Lois Walfrid Johnson
Amos Fortune, Free Man by Elizabeth Yates
Roman Roads Media: Old Western Culture 
 
Diane’s References
Crispin’s Rainy Day by Forrest Dickison
Ensnared in the Wolf's Lair: Inside the 1944 Plot to Kill Hitler and the Ghost Children of His Revenge by Ann Bausum 
Paradise Lost by John Milton
 
Sarah Kim’s References
Chinese Menu: The History, Myths, and Legends Behind Your Favorite Foods by Grace Lin  
One Long Line: Marching Caterpillars and the Scientists Who Followed Them by Loree Burns
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
 
Tanya’s References 
Bjorn the Proud by Madeleine Polland 
The Year of Miss Agnes by Kirkpatrick Hill 
General References
Biblioguides 
Semicolon
Book Review Roundup 
Mighty Networks
Shelf Notes 

Our Reading Life - November, 2024

Sara Masarik’s References 
In Defense of Beverly Cleary Blog Post
Clementine by Sara Pennypacker  
Lily's Victory Garden by Helen L. Wilbur
Friend of Freedom River by Gloria Whela 
Mackinac Bridge by Gloria Whelan
The Scarlet Stocking Spy by Trinka Hakes Noble 
The Town that Fooled the British by Lisa Papp
Rudy Rides the Rails  Dandi Daley Mackall 
The Impossible Journey by Gloria Whelan
Ideas have Consequences by Richard M. Weaver
After Virtue by Alasdair MacIntyre
How to Read a Book by Mortimer J. Adler
Sarah Kim’s References
Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan
Angel on the Square by Gloria Whelan
An Experiment in Criticism by C. S. Lewis
Watership Down by Richard Adams
Diane’s References
The Tempest by William Shakespeare
The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald
Amos Fortune Freeman by Elizabeth Yates
Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein 
Tanya’s References 
The Door in the Wall  
General References
Biblioguides 
Semicolon
Book Review Roundup 
Mighty Networks
Shelf Notes

Our Reading Life: October 2024

In this conversation, we discuss the value of picture books in both education and personal enjoyment. Sara Masarik delves into the works of Gloria Whelan, highlighting her contributions to historical fiction, specifically mentioning, The Hedge School, The Miracle of St. Nicholas, Small Acts of Amazing Courage, The Angel on the Square, and Homeless Bird. The discussion also touches on the significance of setting in storytelling and the connection between literature and geography. Sarah Kim talks about Brunelleschi's Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture as well as Dorothy Sayer's Gaudy Night. The discussion highlights the richness of Sayer's storytelling and its connection to her personal life. Diane explored the significance of a book club focused on 'Mama Bear Apologetics' and convinced all of us to buy it (while we were recording!). She also shared the beautiful story, Mountain Born. Tanya shared the remarkable story of Jim Key, a horse that demonstrated extraordinary intelligence and abilities, leading to a movement for kindness towards animals. She also discussed the relatable and timeless experiences of family life depicted in Hilda von Stockum's books, particularly focusing on the Mitchells' adventures during World War II.
The discussion highlights the importance of kindness, education, and the shared experiences of parenting, making it a rich and engaging dialogue for listeners.
Sara Masarik’s References 
The Hedge School by Gloria Whelan 
The Miracle of Saint Nicholas by Gloria Whelan 
Small Acts of Amazing Courage by Gloria Whelan 
The Angel on the Square by Gloria Whelan 
Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan 
Gary D. Schmidt 
The Mistmantle Chronicles by M. I. McAllister
The Borrowed House by Hilda Van Stockum 
The Tangled Skein by Alta Halverson Seymour 
Hilda Van Stockum 
Alta Halverson Seymour 
Lines of Courage by Jennifer Nielsen 
Jeeves and Wooster by P. G. Wodehouse
Hilda Van Stockum Page at Biblioguides   
Sarah Kim’s References
The Found Boys by S. D. Smith 
Brunelleschi’s Dome by Ross King
Murder Must Advertise by Dorothy Sayers
Whose Body by Dorothy Sayers
Gaudy Night by Dorothy Sayers
Diane’s References
Mountain Born by Elizabeth Yates  
Amos Fortune, Free Man by Elizabeth Yates 
Mama Bear Apologetics: Empowering Your Kids to Challenge Cultural Lies by Hillary Morgan Ferrer
Tanya’s References 
The Town That Fooled the British by Lisa Papp 
Step Right Up: How Doc and Jim Key Taught the World about Kindness by Donna Janell Bowman
The Mitchells: Five for Victory by Hilda Van Stockum
The Borrowed House by Hilda Van Stockum
The Winged Watchman by Hilda Van Stockum 
Interview with Bethlehem Books
General References
Biblioguides 
Semicolon
Book Review Roundup 
Mighty Networks
Shelf Notes 

Our Reading Life: September 2024

Tanya’s References 
The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin 
The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin 
Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan Henry
Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan Henry  
Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner 
Sarah Kim’s References
The Betrothed by Alessandro Manzoni
Beneath the Magnificent Dome by Anna Iakovou 
Sara Masarik’s References 
A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller, Jr.  
Lord of the World by Robert Hugh Benson 
Alas Babylon by Pat Frank
Dead-Eye Dan and the Cimarron Kid by Glenn McCarty  
Diane’s References
Irena’s Gift by Karen Kirsten 
War Diaries by Astrid Lindgren 
Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan
 

Our Reading Life: July 2024

Welcome to our July 2024 episode of Our Reading Life where we chat with our dear friends, Tanya Arnold and Sarah Kim from Biblioguides about our reading lives. We are so glad that you are here!
Tanya’s References 
Let’s Play Math by Denise Gaskins 
The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin
Sarah Kim’s References
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Glowrushes by Robert Piumini
One Big Open Sky by Lesa Cline-Ransome
Sara Masarik’s References 
Lepunia: Kingdom of the Gallopers by Kevin T. Ford
The Green Ember Series by S. D. Smith
The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin
The Keeper of the Hidden Books by Madeline Martin
Diane’s References
Kensuke's Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo
Michael Morpurgo: War Child to War Horse by Maggie Fergusson
A Mathematician's Lament by Paul Lockhart
General References
Biblioguides 
Semicolon
Book Review Roundup 
Mighty Networks
Shelf Notes

Our Reading Life: June 2024

Tanya’s References
The Winged Watchman by Hilda Van Stockum 
Plumfield Reads Book Club Packets: The Winged Watchman
Hilda Van Stockum
Patsy and the Pup by Hilda Van Stockum 
Little Old Bear by Hilda Van Stockum
The Mitchells Books by Hilda Van Stockum 
The Cottage at Bantry Bay Series by Hilda Van Stockum 
The Borrowed House by Hilda Van Stockum 
When the Dikes Broke by Alta Halverson Seymour  
Sarah Kim’s References
Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott 
The Arthurian Trilogy by Rosemary Sutcliff 
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi
Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
Sara Masarik’s References 
Gary D. Schmidt Interview
S. D. Smith, Beloved Author
Jack Zulu and the Girl with Golden Wings (Jack Zulu Series) by S. D. Smith and J. C. Smith
The Found Boys by S. D. Smith
Mooses with Bazookas and Other Stories Children Should Never Read by S. D. Smith
Diane’s References
The Vanishing of Carolyn Wells by Rebecca Rego Barry
The Wordhord by Hana Videen 
The Deorhord by Hana Videen
General References
Biblioguides 
Semicolon
Book Review Roundup 
Mighty Networks
Shelf Notes  
 

Our Reading Life: May 2024

Join us for our May 2024 Our Reading Life episode where we talk about spies, codebreakers, and geeky grammar. 
 
Tanya’s References 
The Pink Refrigerator by Tim Egan
D-Day Girls: The Spies Who Armed the Resistance, Sabotaged the Nazis, and Helped Win World War II by Sarah Rose
Sarah Kim’s References
Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott
The Little Ships: The Heroic Rescue at Dunkirk During World War by Louise Borden
The Dolphin Crossing by Jill Paton Walsh
The Lamp, the Ice, and the Boat Called Fish: Based on a True Story by Jaqueline Briggs Martin
Sara Masarik’s References 
The Mark of the Thief Trilogy by Jennifer A. Nielsen 
The Woman All Spies Fear: Code Breaker Elizebeth Smith Friedman and Her Hidden Life by Amy Butler Greenfield
The Fifth of March by Ann Rinaldi - Sara's Review
Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ by Lew Wallace 
Diane’s References
The Wordhord: Daily Life in Old English by Hana Videen
Dreyer's English: An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style by Benjamin Dreyer

Our Reading Life: April 2024

Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare (The Bruce Coville retelling is out of print.)
The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare
The Tempest by William Shakespeare 
Shakespeare Story Book: Folk Tales that Inspired the Bard by Patrick Ryan
Let's Play Math by Denise Gaskins
A Long Road on a Short Day by Gary D. Schmidt 
Gary D. Schmidt 
Saturday by Oge Mora
Raccoons are the Brightest People by Sterling North 
The Call of the Wild by Jack London
White Fang by Jack London 
Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott
The Mark of the Thief Trilogy by Jennifer A. Nielsen 
Ben-Hur by Lew Wallace 
The Importance of Being Earnest  by Oscar Wilde
The Aunt and Amabel by Edith Nesbit 
The Shakespeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood
Rascal by Sterling North 
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee 
Little Britches by Ralph Moody  
Lad: The Story of a Dog by Albert Payson Terhune
Gene Stratton-Porter 
Armadale by Wilkie Collins 
Aurora Floyd by Mary Elizabeth Braddon
The Mayor's Wife by Anna Katherine Green
The Virginian by Owen Wister
One Hundred and One Dalmatians by Dodie Smith 
Lorna Doone by R. D. Blackmore
Labors of Hercules Beal by Gary D. Schmidt