Plumfield Moms
Our Reading Life
Episodes

Wednesday Feb 12, 2025
Wednesday Feb 12, 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

Thursday Jan 23, 2025
Thursday Jan 23, 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

Tuesday Dec 10, 2024
Tuesday Dec 10, 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

Tuesday Nov 12, 2024
Tuesday Nov 12, 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

Wednesday Oct 23, 2024
Wednesday Oct 23, 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

Monday Sep 30, 2024
Monday Sep 30, 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

Sunday Jul 21, 2024
Sunday Jul 21, 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

Wednesday Jun 26, 2024
Wednesday Jun 26, 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

Wednesday May 22, 2024
Wednesday May 22, 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

Wednesday Apr 03, 2024
Wednesday Apr 03, 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